Following the film *Major*, actor Adivi Sesh has once again worked on a film titled *Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha*—simultaneously in both Hindi and Telugu. Adivi, who balances writing with acting, sees this film releasing alongside the Akshay Kumar-starrer *Bhool Bhulaiyaa*. Here are excerpts from a conversation between Deepesh Pandey and Adivi, covering his new film, its box-office clash with *Bhool Bhulaiyaa*, and how he strikes a balance between writing and acting.

**What was the core idea behind making this film?**
The central idea was to present a love story set against a backdrop that we don't typically encounter. Much like the films of the past—such as *Sholay*—we wanted to feature elements like rocky terrain, bullets, railway tracks, scorching heat, and fire. Amidst all these raw elements, we wanted to tell a love story fueled by intense passion and anger.

We produced this film by shooting it separately in both Hindi and Telugu. In my opinion, "bilingual" is a more accurate label for this project than "Pan-India." We are releasing it exclusively in the two languages—Hindi and Telugu—in which we actually filmed it.

**What were the challenges involved in shooting the film in both languages ​​while maintaining consistent expressions and nuances?**
There were certainly challenges, primarily because in one instance we would be conversing in standard Hindi, while in another, we would be speaking in colloquial Telugu. Consequently, we decided early on that we would not simply replicate the same emotional delivery in both languages.

A specific word or phrase that comes across as humorous in Hindi might not necessarily evoke the same level of amusement in Telugu. Therefore, in addition to varying our expressions, we also staged and executed certain scenes differently for each language. For several minor roles, we even cast different actors for the Hindi and Telugu versions of the film.

What was the rationale behind recreating the song "Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast" for this film?
As someone who grew up in the 1990s—the final decade of the last century—my own childhood memories are inextricably linked to this particular song. It holds a special place in my heart; it was the very first song I ever danced to, back at a friend's birthday party. I used to be a very shy child, but whenever this song played, I, too, felt an urge to dance. It holds a deep connection to my childhood, which is precisely why we decided to recreate it. There is even a storyline within the film itself that revolves around this particular song.

What did it feel like to gain acceptance in Hindi cinema following *Major*?
It was largely because of *Major* that I subsequently received numerous offers for films based on war, the armed forces, and biopics. However, *Dacoit* felt like the right fit for me, as the story is of paramount importance to me. If we work with our hearts and create a good film, the Hindi audience is so gracious that they will embrace any film or artist.

You postponed your film's release due to a clash with *Dhurandhar: The Revenge* and *Toxic*, but now you find yourself up against *Bhoot Bangla*...
We originally intended to release our film on March 19th, as that day marked the Telugu New Year. However, facing a film like *Dhurandhar: The Revenge*, we were encountering difficulties in securing a sufficient number of screens for our film in the Hindi market. Consequently, we decided to push the release date to April 10th.

There was certainly no intention to create a clash; in fact, I am a huge admirer of Akshay Kumar. I even cut the teaser for my own film using one of his songs. It is quite a coincidence that, last time around, *Major* clashed with Akshay Kumar's *Samrat Prithviraj*, and now *Dacoit* finds itself up against his *Bhoot Bangla*.

**How ​​do you strike a balance between acting and writing—deciding which one to prioritize and dedicate your time to?**
Part of the reason it took a little while to bring out my next film after *Major* was that I was simultaneously writing two projects: *Dacoit* and *G2*. I don't really think in terms of giving greater importance to one over the other; rather, when I am in the writing phase, my entire focus is on writing, and when I am acting, my entire focus is on acting.

I view myself as an actor who, early in his career, was compelled by necessity to start writing scripts. I began writing specifically to pave the way for a successful acting career.

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