Known for mass-oriented movies, director V Samudra takes complete U-turn with Mallepuvvu, a realistic love story with unique script. Here he talks about the movie and his career at large.
NaChaKi: Nearly all your movies are powerful stories set in village backdrop/nativity. What brings to a tender love story, going by its title, such as Mallepuvvu?
Samudra: Everyone has been saying that, which is why I wanted to a novel love story. For this very purpose, I approached Ramesh Varma when I heard the title Mallepuvvu, took his story and am making it in my own style. Mallepuvvu is indeed a love story that has a good 'feel'. I am doing this film with an intention to come out of my routine films! Even I'd be found as a creative director after this film!
NaChaKi: Samudra's movies fare better in B and C centers than in A centers, generally speaking. Can we expect a youth-based Mallepuvvu to satisfy audiences in A centers more?
Samudra: The film's good talk definitely starts in A centers itself! In B and C centers, the name Samudra is a brand-value tag, like you said, to pull the crowds. ...Most people brand me as someone who'd make films with a raw, unsophisticated feel. After the release of Mallepuvvu, one can identify me as someone who has made a tender love story in a commerical fashion without missing the creative element in executing the film! You can actually see how I transformed Ramesh Varma's story into my style!
NaChaKi: What's the reason for the delay of the film Venkatadri with Nandamuri Taraka Ratna?
Samudra: The production house believes in perfecting each aspect pertaining to the film! While delay could be for this reason, the film's outcome is quite satisfactory. It'd be an out and out Samudra's movie! Venkatadri could give Taraka Ratna a much-needed break, attracting masses from B and C centers without fail!
NaChaKi: What's your confidence in Taraka Ratna who didn't register a hit film yet!? And, you seem to be giving a complete makeover to his image...!
Samudra: I made all my films when my heroes were undergoing a downfall in their career! Everyone of them got hits later on! Venkatadri will be a promising project for Taraka Ratna, giving him new breath! ...I cannot risk my life either, anyway, and so I need to ensure everything is going right and keep the confidence in my hero!
NaChaKi: You're making Mallepuvvu with a new hero and an experience heroine. Can you share your experiences on the sets?
Samudra: The story dictates the choice of a hero that has different and rough looks and has no star image! And, he should be suitable to Bhumika too. We found Muralikrishna when we were looking for the male lead role! Also, the film needs a big heroine, and thus Bhumika was roped in. Well, you can understand that our choices were all right since Bhumika, a heroine with an appreciable stature, agreed to act with a newbie!
NaChaKi: So, how do you justify the title Mallepuvvu?
Samudra: Contrary to the popular belief that the heroine is tender as a jasmine, it's about the hero's heart - pure, white, peaceful, and enticing.
NaChaKi: Can you share your experiences of working with Rajasekhar gaaru? Were you not troubled by his infamously impunctual nature?
Samudra: Rajasekhar gaaru is a good-natured person. He always tells the time of his arrival beforehand. People who can understand his nature would not talk bad about him! I did two films (Simharasi and Evadaithe Naakenti...?) with him. Both the films gave me a good experience of working with him.
NaChaKi: Is it true that the Malayalam original of Rajasekhar's Rowdyism Nasinchaali was remade again to become Evadaithe Naakenti...?
Samudra: No, it's not! Rajasekhar gaaru prepared the story himself for Evadaithe Naakenti...?, albeit based on the Malayalam film...
NaChaKi: You directed Harikrishna for two films too. How was working with him?
Samudra: I can work with anyone comfortably! I just do my work, and am thus not a part of any controversies! I have a high regard for Harikrishna. I am a die hard fan of the legendary NTR, and I worked with three Nandamuri heroes - Harikrishna, Kalyan Ram, and Taraka Ratna...
NaChaKi: By the time you stepped in as the director of the film Mallepuvvu, the songs were already written and recorded. And, you also wanted to be the producer and floated the banner "Sri Samudra Silver Screens". Finally, the producer is different! What's the reason for all these changes?
Samudra: I wanted to do this film myself, went to Ramesh Varma and asked him for the story. He told that he'd give me the story if I'd make it myself. He also invested some money into the project, apart from the money he already spent for song recording. When the film neared completion, we were short of some more money. That was when an NRI Mohan Vadlapatla put in 20 lakh rupees as his share of investment, and I made him the producer. ...It'd be justified if Ramesh varma was the producer of this film, but he insisted that he wanted to stay behind the screen strictly and not as a producer. It's so nice of him that he invested money, got songs recorded, roped in the heroine, and provided creative support, and still stayed backstage! I didn't even invest money but he was the one who made me launch the banner too, but was okay with Mohan being the producer. He's really a good friend indeed! Special thanks to Ramesh Varma for all his support, despite his choice of wanting to stay behind the scenes.
NaChaKi: It's interesting that the banner is named after you but you didn't invest anything...
Samudra: I did invest... my directorial skill is my investment in the project! I had the idea of launching my own banner, and thanks to Ramesh Varma like I said, for making my dream come true.
NaChaKi: Can we expect a bigger hit from you than Evadaithe Naakenti...?
Samudra: Mallepuvvu could be it! I really want to make this film a super hit, and that would be my gift to Ramesh Varma for all his support and kindness!
NaChaKi: Word has making rounds in the industry that you'd soon act as a hero. Can you spill some more details?
Samudra: Being a hero has been my dream! I talked about the idea with my friends and acquaintances and I wanted to become a hero with all their support. I'd prepare a story that would suit me and would start a film starring me as a hero, but it'd be only after I deliver 2-3 hits in a row!
NaChaKi: So, what are your next films?
Samudra: I am toying with four subjects. I need to get a go-ahead from my heroes before I can tell some more...
Interviewed by NaChaKi
