Directorial debut
|
Story writer Posani Krishna Murali turns to direction with "Sravanamasam."
|
LAST JUNE, he would have made his debut as a hero in the Telugu remake of the offbeat Malayalam hit, "Tharumadi Kuttangal". And last April he said, he was comfortable as a writer and as an occasional actor; but had no inclination to take up the mantle of a filmmaker. Like the man and his celluloid themes, he is charming, but unpredictable. After winning accolades in the realm of movie writing, Posani Krishna Murali, the straightforward, impulsive self-made achiever has now turned a producer-director. Impulsive, because earlier he had dodged an offer from editor Mohan to direct a film, but has now taken up the task and says that he did not plan it, but it just happened. "When the story of "Sravanamasam" struck my mind, I have decided to make it myself. There is no other reason for it," says Murali, who has roped in scores of actors and his artistes for his directorial debut venture and completed it in a record 36 shoot days.
In Andhra Pradesh, the marriage season commences with the month of sravana. Murali's theme runs on these lines and he aptly gave a tag- "pellilla season" to his film. Though no parallels can be drawn in thematic content, the film comes in the genre of "Hum Aapke Hai Kaun" and "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge". The same in terms of the mammoth settings too. The star cast consists of veteran Krishna, Harikrishna, Nagendra Babu, Vijaya Nirmala, Bhanupriya, Kalyani, Gazala, Keerthi Chawla and new find Karitkeya; and nine top comedians from Brahmanandam to Venumadhav. "I would like to call it a laugh riot. The humour is situational and to the surprise of every one, this time Krishna delivers a different kind of punch in the movie that tickles your ribs. He is the best. But for a couple of emotional scenes, Harikrishna too has a light-hearted role. "I have a flair for comedy right from my student days," says Murali . He is playing a cameo of an eccentric taking satirical digs at the present day happenings in the socio-political scenario. As a student in school, and later at Nagarjuna University, he won the best comedian award for "Anathasayanam" and won several awards including the best actor for other plays and mono acting. "Though I played several roles, both small and big in films, I was surprised when producer Jayakrishna told me that if I accept his offer he will remake the Malayalam film, "Tharumadi Kuttangal" with me in the lead role. I said, yes," recalls Murali. But Jayakrishna could not proceed further due to his commitments then.
"It was then D. Ramanaidu showed interest in remaking the film again with me as the hero. He bought the rights." But the project did not materialise. You know my first screen appearance was in a Krishna-Sridevi starrer directed by K. Bapaiah. I appear as a bridegroom in one scene," smiles the actor who won much appreciation for his roles in films like "Ayodhya Ramaiah," "Pelli chesukundam" and "Siviah".
"In fact, it was after seeing my performance in "Ayodhya Ramaiah", that Jayakrishna felt that I can do justice to the hero's character in that Malayalam remake," recalls Murali.
When he arrived on August 15, 1986 in Chennai, to enroll as an M.Phil student he had no idea that cinema would beckon him. "By then I have finished my M.Phil and got enrolled in Phd. I got an offer from the famous PAP banner for writing the story and dialogue for "Police Brothers." The film was a hit and even won an award for Manorama. Perhaps, her first award for a Telugu film. Then a spate of films like "Rakshana", "Gayam' etc., followed," recalls Murali. He wrote for over hundred films with such varied themes as "Snehitulu", "Pavithrabandham", "Pellichesukundam", "Preyasi Raave," "Bhadrachalam" and "Sivaiah". He considers "Preyasi Raave" that won recognition for Srikanth as a sensitive performer as the best love story to hit the Telugu screen after "Prem Nagar". Murali opines a screenplay writer should essentially have patience. "As far as the content is concerned, there is nothing left for us to do by our predecessors. The subject should be good. It is the fresh feel in the story line that ultimately decides a winner and not a star's image. The audience are never particular about watching only a certain type of films. They always welcomed good films. Films should be made with conviction. The audience should be able to identify with the characters. They should laugh and go sentimental with the moving images on the silver screen," he says.
He neither believes on trends in films nor imparting a message through cinema. "No one ever gets spoiled by watching films. I don't think films can influence people. Perhaps today's political scenario may pollute the young minds, definitely not films, whose sole aim is to entertain."
"Sravanamasam" is born out of this belief "to provide wholesome entertainment to the entire family who can watch the movie sitting together in a movie hall."
M.L.NARASIMHAM
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
