'RAZAKAR' will be released in Telugu, Hindi and other languages on March 15. The film has been produced by Gudur Narayana Reddy and directed by Yata Satyanarayana. In his latest interview, the director says that 'Razakar' is so authentic that it is based on a treasure trove of literature published by men with an intimate knowledge of Nizam-era atrocities.
"The CBFC had only a few objections about the degree of violence shown in some scenes. When the board raised a set of sixteen questions, I showed them proofs from documented history. I literally had a truck load of evidence to validate what I have shown in 'Razakar'," Yata Satyanarayana says.
He adds that the film is history as it is with no embellishments or exaggerations. "Usually, commercial elements are added for the sake of commerce. But I haven't done anything of that sort. I don't want to become a 'charitra heenudu'. I have not relied on any particular ideological group of scholars to know what the Razakar militia did to Hindus during the Nizam rule. I read from multiple sources, including Marxist, Arya Samajist and even an Islamist one," the director says.
The filmmaker urges the media not to give a star rating to History. "You can criticize my direction skills all you want. But please don't rate History," he says.
Satyanarayana has been a journalist in the past. "Back in the day, we had a book review column in our newspaper. We had to read books periodically. That's how my interest in History took shape. I have been mad about cinema. I even gave up a government job for the sake of working in the film industry," he adds.
"Making a film like 'Razakar', which exposes the genocide of Hindus in Hyderabad in the 1940s, is a responsibility. I have no political motives. This film has been made on a rich scale (as per producer Gudur Narayana Reddy, the budget is Rs 50 Cr). There are 1600 CG shots in all. Our film is in much demand in Hindi as well," the director says.
