Actor Adivi Sesh is currently preparing for the release of his highly anticipated bilingual action drama Dacoit, and he recently revealed that the film's biggest challenge wasn't dealing with two languages but capturing the emotional transformation of the same character across different cinematic cultures.
The Real Challenge: Emotional Transformation Across Cultures
In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Sesh explained that the process wasn't simply about switching between Hindi and Telugu dialogues. The core difficulty lay in understanding how the same character "breathes differently" within each linguistic and cultural world. According to the actor, who also co-wrote the film, this required a deep understanding of the subtle emotional nuances that distinguish Hindi and Telugu cinema audiences.
"Hindi has always come naturally to me, so diction wasn't the challenge," Sesh revealed, attributing his comfort with Hindi to his multicultural upbringing and years of exposure to the language. "The real work was tuning into the attitude, the rhythm, and the emotional pitch that each language demands."
Two Distinct Emotional Journeys
Sesh provided fascinating insights into how the same character exhibits different emotional characteristics in each version of Dacoit. He described the Hindi version as carrying "a gentler, more restrained intensity," while the Telugu version leans toward "stronger physicality and a louder emotional expression."
The actor emphasized that despite telling the same story, the emotional journeys are so distinct that it genuinely felt like creating two separate films simultaneously. "As both actor and co-writer, I had to constantly shift gears to make sure each version felt honest," he noted. "Even though the story remains the same, the emotional journeys are so distinct that it truly felt like we were creating two films side by side."
Building on Bilingual Success
This isn't Sesh's first experience with bilingual filmmaking. He previously applied a similar approach to his successful film Major, treating both language versions as separate cinematic experiences rather than simple dubbed adaptations. The actor has developed a philosophy around bilingual filmmaking that demands extra effort but delivers authentic results.
"Shooting bilinguals is like making two films," Sesh explained. "Very few people go that extra mile, but I can't settle for anything less than perfect. Every frame, every emotion must feel authentic."
About Dacoit and Its Star-Studded Cast
The upcoming action drama follows the intense story of an enraged convict seeking revenge on his ex-girlfriend who betrayed him. The film features Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur in lead roles, with noted filmmaker and actor Anurag Kashyap appearing in a powerful supporting character.
The impressive ensemble cast includes several respected actors from both Hindi and South Indian cinema:
- Prakash Raj
- Sunil
- Atul Kulkarni
- Zayn Marie Khan
- Kamakshi Bhaskarla
With his thoughtful approach to bilingual filmmaking and dedication to emotional authenticity, Adivi Sesh continues to establish himself as one of the most innovative actors working across Indian cinema landscapes today.
