C Kalyan is set to release 'Inttelligent' on Feb 9. In this interview, he talks about the movie, plans for 'Chamak Chamak' (the Kondaveeti Donga remix), his upcoming projects, and more.

'Jai Simha' was a hit this January. You must be counting much on your first outing with VV Vinayak and Sai Dharam Tej. Isn't it?

2018 has started on a high note for me. I am coming up with 'Inttelligent' on Feb 9 with optimism. Naturally, the audience are expecting much from the entertainer. We are glad that Nandamuri Balakrishna garu has released the teaser, and Prabhas garu has unveiled the first single. Both have been received well. Balakrishna garu even said that he is keenly waiting for 'Inttelligent' as he deems CK Entertainments as his home banner.

We are going to hold a grand pre-release event on Feb 4, at Rajahmundry's Arts College Grounds. Local leaders and the film's cast and crew members will be present there. We haven't invited industry personalities.

How was it teaming up with a mass director like Vinayak?

With Megastar Chiranjeevi garu's favourite director and brother-like personality, VV Vinayak garu, directing our movie, the expectations are sky-high. Since it's the director's immediate next after 'Khaidi No. 150', it's all the more awaited. The film will beat all the extant expectations. It will go down as a film that Teju will be proud of. We are going to release a making video related to the action sequences.

The very title suggests that the hero is smart. Is he going to offer typical entertainment, too?

If 'Jai Simha' had high doses of sentiment, 'Inttelligent' is more about sheer entertainment. Teju's dances are brilliant. I was reminded of Chiranjeevi garu's fiery dances! SS Thaman's extraordinary music has also helped. There is a song on Kalamandir sarees in the movie. It's one of the good numbers.

A song a day has been released in the last few days. 'Chamak Chamak' was very special as it came days after Maestro Ilayaraja was conferred with Padma Vibhushan. How does it feel?

It feels great. We are going to release it formally at an event to be attended by Ilayaraja garu, Sitarama Sastry garu, and another guest. We have shot the remix in Oman. Although a number of songs have been shot in that country in the past, we shot it in unexplored hilly places.

There is going to be intense competition on Feb 9. What is your take?

We had decided to release our movie on the 9th long back. Annayya Mohan Babu garu's 'Gayatri' and Varun Tej's 'Tholi Prema' are also hitting the screens. We wish them all the best. All the three films should become hits.

Why have you misspelled the title as 'Inttelligent' instead of 'Intelligent'?

I believe in numerology. I changed my name's spelling, too, as per numerology. That's why the title.

So, it seems that you involve creatively in your films.

Yes, I do. I was supposed to direct a film titled 'Neti Nyayam' with Suman and Jayasudha garu. But that project didn't work out. That's when I turned a Producer. I keep interest in direction department. Whenever I have doubts, I seek a clarification from my director.

What are your upcoming movies?

My next is going to be with, again, Vinayak garu. I am also going to produce a small-time film titled 'Bharati'. '1945', starring Rana Daggubati, is all done but for 10-12 days of shoot. It's a love story.