J D Chakravarthy: I knew from day one that we were on to something big with ‘Dayaa’

Interview: J D Chakravarthy opens up on the massive response to Telugu web series ‘Dayaa‘ on Disney+ Hotstar, reveals that he and director Pavan Sadineni almost did not work together

“Let me tell you a secret,” actor J D Chakravarthy reiterates through the conversation when we speak in the context of his recent Telugu web series Dayaa, which has fetched him and the team an overwhelming response. Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, the series directed by Pavan Sadineni features the actor as a freezer van driver who gets caught in a murky web of crime and politics. 

The ‘secrets’ are brief revelations the actor keeps sharing about the series, his past films and approach to work. Before we get to it, he asserts that he had believed all along that Dayaa would score big and feels vindicated with all the appreciation. “We actors have a boon. You can call it intuition. When we step into a set and give the first shot, we know if things are working. People call me an arrogant actor because, if I sense something is not right, I will not hesitate to tell the director or producer. With Dayaa, I knew from day one that we were on to something big.”

Now for the first secret. Chakri reveals that he dodged the offer when Disney+ Hotstar approached him. He was filming for their web series Taaza Khabar but he was not keen when he learnt that Shalini from the programming team was calling from Hyderabad for a Telugu series. “I did the usual thing most actors do — say that I was not free for the next two months.” Shalini called him again after two months and Chakri stated that he was away till December. “I thought she bought my lie. Then she politely told me that they were planning to begin Dayaa from January. I had no more excuses.”

The script of Dayaa was sent to Chakri but he was asked not to read it since the director, Pavan Sadineni, wanted to give him a narration. “I had no idea about Pavan and his work. We spoke for about 10 minutes on the phone and I was struck by his clarity.” 

This is only one part of the story. Much later Chakri learnt that Pavan had not been keen on casting him for Dayaa. “He did not want to deal with the baggage that came with my earlier films with Ram Gopal Varma. In fact, he thought he would give me a bad narration so that I would decline it. But even before he narrated, I told him I want to do this series.”

Nevertheless, Pavan gave a narration. Chakri lets out another secret. Those who have watched Dayaa would be aware that the season leaves plenty of unanswered questions and is structured like a trailer to what is to follow the next season. Chakri shares that Pavan had narrated more of the story from season two than one. “For example, in the fifth episode there is a shot in which I stare at my wrist watch and bring it to my ear to check if it is working. This has something to do with what will happen in season two. Pavan came to me with a clear plan for seasons two, three and four.”

Chakri believes that the director, not only the content, is the king. He explains with an example. “Can you imagine Gulzaar saab directing Namak Halaal or Prakash Mehra directing Angoor? It is never about just the story and the script; it has to do with how a director envisions it.”