Excerpts from the one-to-one conversation:
Q. Hearty congratulations for the huge success of AD
Pawan: Thank you
Q. How do you feel about it (success)?
Pawan: I usually, feel happy while working for a film and I don't have a habit to think/ponder about my work once it's done. But yes, I'm feeling little happy about it.
Q. Box office collections are setting new records. Numbers...are you concerned about them?
Pawan: I never have a habit to pay attention to either collections or about my work. I don't like to hear about these two things once my work/film is done. But for this film (AD), I'm bound to hear about collections due to Trivikram garu. (Pawan Laughs). I usually don't speak to anyone after completing a film. But this time, I know that I've done a good film and I'm feeling happy that the film impressed one and all.
Q. Sir, you like pen whereas Pawan garu likes gun...how your combination...
Trivikram interrupts: No, he (Pawan) also likes pen. Actually, not many know that Pawan likes pens too.
Q. How and when did Atharintiki Daredhi happen?
Trivikram: I've narrated the script to Pawan after Khaleja. I did entertainment part well but emotions were not intense then. Pawan asked me that why I was escaping from emotions and suggested me to narrate emotions in the story intensely. He said he's confident that people would like it if there are emotions. He said he also like it so and that's how climax has been etched from this. I did rework on the script and made changes before starting the shoot. So, the seed for human emotions in the film was sown by Pawan. Success is like bonus for us.
Q. What did you feel after leakage of film through piracy and how do you see the support of audience by making the film a big hit?
Pawan: I always believe piracy depends on individual ethics. When I was working on Gabbar Singh 2 script, I got a call from Trivikram garu and he said that 90 min of film was out. First, I didn't know how to react. How can one do it in such a cold manner? I was thinking whether it would incur any loss to producer as the value of the film would Rs 60 crore to 70 crore. Once it's out on internet, it'll not be easy to control as it'd be out of our hands and no one can stop downloads. Also, I had a doubt that whether millions have such individual ethics. But, I was amazed by the manner in which people reacted- voluntarily reporting about links. And my respect towards them has increased a lot. Despite having availability of the film just a click away, the way they self-controlled themselves is amazing. I'd like to salute (Joharlu) them. My heartfelt thanks to all.
Q. Does reviews affect you. Do you read reviews? Are you concerned about ratings?
Pawan: No, I won't read reviews. We do films with strong belief. (smiles). If film connects to audience, it's okay. If not, then any how we know what our mistakes are. So, in both cases, I'm fine. I'd like to forget once work is done and wants to move on. I feel discomfort inside about them (reviews).
Q. What made you to accept AD?
Pawan: I like human relations and often discuss with Trivikram about such good old things we come across in past. Basically, the term Atha has made into a derogatory lately which is sad. So, when he (Trivikram) said we focuses positively, I got connected to it. For me and Trivikram, we both like old films like Illarikam, Gundamma Katha a lot as they have simplicity.
Q. How did you fix such a soft title to Pawan?
Trivikram: Though we were considering AD as the title, I was looking for better options considering Pawan's fanfare and charisma. Kalyan garu told me a day that he had already fixed Gabbar Singh 2 for his next project and asked about title of this film. I said AD and he has given his nod.
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