The film Ustaad Bhagat Singh has drawn attention for an extended period, primarily due to its production delays and uncertainty over whether it would be a remake or an original story. This project brings together Pawan Kalyan and director Harish Shankar once more, following their successful collaboration on Gabbar Singh. Understandably, fans held significant expectations, yet the prolonged wait led to numerous inquiries.
At the launch event for the film’s first song, held at Aditya College in Hyderabad, Harish Shankar at last spoke candidly, offering complete clarity about the project. He openly discussed the production delays, alterations to the story, and the circulating rumors about it being a remake.
Harish Shankar stated, “This is the initial appropriate setting for me to discuss Ustaad Bhagat Singh. Elsewhere, fans consistently requested updates, but now is the moment to speak plainly.” He also noted that various websites, television channels, and YouTube platforms attributed the delay to Pawan Kalyan. Addressing this, he affirmed, “Pawan Kalyan was not responsible for this film’s delay in any way.”
The director shared that his initial plan involved a different narrative. “Following Gabbar Singh, my intention was to present him in a college-centric story, similar to Jalsa or Khushi. I completed that script, but later concluded it felt overly sophisticated. Fans anticipated something different, so we abandoned that concept,” he explained.
The subsequent COVID period had a profound impact on him. Harish Shankar revealed a personal experience, stating, “During the pandemic, I experienced mental depression. My mental well-being suffered significantly.” After his recovery, they considered making a remake, but even that concept did not entirely meet their expectations. “We also had reservations about that particular story. Ultimately, we began this film with a narrative that aligns with his public persona and fan desires,” he concluded.
Regarding the pace of filming, Harish Shankar commended Pawan Kalyan’s commitment. “Circumstances favored us, allowing the film to be finished very quickly. Pawan Kalyan worked exceptionally fast. On some days, he put in 18 to 20 hours.” He further disclosed that Pawan Kalyan would attend cabinet meetings in the mornings, then arrive for night shoots, occasionally heading straight to Vijayawada once filming concluded.
These explanations from the director provide a clear understanding of the journey behind Ustaad Bhagat Singh, addressing the various questions that arose during its development.