Chiranjeevi braves rain to address fans at the Godfather pre-release event, calls them his 'Godfathers'

Chiranjeevi's second release of the year, Godfather, adapted and directed by Mohan Raja, is releasing this Dasara. Nayanthara, Salman Khan, Satyadev, Murali Sharma, Samuthirakani, Sunil and Getup Srinu form the supporting cast. The pre-release event of the film, held at Anantapur, was extra-special because Chiranjeevi spoke his heart out even while braving rain and addressed his fans with so much love that he called him the 'Godfathers' of his career. 

"Whenever I come to Rayalaseema, it rains, it's a wonderful coincidence and I see it as a sign of victory. Be it my political campaign a few years ago or the sequence in Indra, it rained when I was in this part of the State. The fact that so many people have stayed to meet me shows your love. I experienced considerable tension today, wondering if I would be able to make it here. I was shooting till 1.30-2 pm and my flight was delayed. Your love was so powerful that destiny favoured me," he said.

Chiranjeevi stated Ram Charan as the main reason behind taking up the remake of the Malayalam film Lucifer. "I and Charan happened to watch the film and I truly liked it. When I was wondering who would take the plunge to do it in Telugu, Ram Charan believed that it was the right time for me to take up this remake. He felt my image and the uniqueness of the script would work perfectly for such a script."

The next challenge came with the director Mohan Raja. "Yet again Ram Charan believed Mohan Raja would be a good choice. He is a young filmmaker who understands contemporary trends well and did full justice to the story." He, Satyanand and Mohan Raja worked on the script for 6-7 months and came up with the screenplay. "He is always a man who thinks big and wanted to cast Salman Khan in a key role. Charan took the initiative to call him and convinced him to do the part," Chiranjeevi added.

Reportedly, Salman was so confident that he didn't even listen to the script and came directly to the set. "Salman Khan will make you fall in love with him with his style and dance moves. Prabhudeva choreographed Thaar Maar Thakkar Maar to perfection. When we felt we needed a big banner to back this project along with us, we teamed up with Super Good Films - NV Prasad and RB Chowdary. Nayanthara too said yes to the role immediately and she has performed it very well, especially the sentimental sequences."

While talking about Satyadev as Jaidev, the antagonist, Chiranjeevi mentioned that he's one of the finest, versatile actors we have. "He has all the makings of a superstar. There's a fantastic performer in him, Godfather exploited it fully. Murali Sharma reminded me a character actor like Rao Gopala Rao.I was thoroughly impressed with him in Alaa Vaikunthapurramulo. Getup Srinu, Sunil, Brahmaji and Samuthirakani have all given their best too."

Explaining the decision to cast Puri Jagannadh as an actor, he stated, "The film had a character of a frustrated journalist and a Youtuber who comments on the political happenings in the state. I came across his videos, podcasts and he was an apt fit. There's a great actor in him." He applauded composer Thaman and said that he left no stone unturned to uplift the film to great heights with his background score.

"This is a film where intensity is expressed through my eyes and body language. GodFather may not have great scope for music. Thaman gave us the confidence that it could be a musical. It will entertain you with the family emotions, political drama and the engaging screenplay. I can say this because I've watched the entire film. Regardless of what I say, it's the audience that decides the verdict. I'll accept whatever you have to say on October 5. The audiences are my Godfathers," he signed off.

The star also asked the audiences to encourage The Ghost and Swathimuthyam, that release on October 5. Before he commenced the speech, he offered condolences to the family of actors Krishna, Mahesh Babu. "I pray that almighty gives all the strength to the Ghattamaneni family, Krishna garu and my brother Mahesh Babu to come to terms with the passing away of Indira Devi."