Interviews

Legendary director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao is coming up with his most prestigious project, Sing Geetham. The film is produced by Nag Ashwin under the prestigious banners Vyjayanthi Movies and Swapna Cinema. Ayaan, Ahalya Bamroo, and Shalini Kondepudi play key roles in the film, while Rockstar Devi Sri Prasad has composed the music. The teaser and songs have received a positive response, and the film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on June 11. On this occasion, Devi Sri Prasad interacted with the media and shared insights about the film.

How did you feel when you learned that you would be working with Singeetam Srinivasa Rao garu?

I am a huge fan of him. He is a legend. I used to admire him whenever he came to meet my father. Long ago, we planned a film on Jesus with Pawan Kalyan garu, but it didn’t materialize. Around that time, Singeetam garu told me about this idea, and I decided to work on it.

Since Singeetam garu conceived this story long ago, how relevant will it be today?

He never thinks according to trends. His thought process is unique, and no one thinks like him. Even today, Pushpaka Vimanam remains a film that was far ahead of its time. Sing Geetham also carries that kind of relevance.

Is it only a comedy film?

It’s not just a comedy film. Sing Geetham has tremendous emotional depth. Hats off to Singeetam garu. I feel very lucky to be a part of this film.

The dialogues have been turned into songs. Tell us about it.

It was truly a challenging film for me. I read the entire script, and I had to transform every dialogue into music. To work on a film like this, one needs a strong command of the language.

What were the challenges for you?

Most films follow a certain format, but for Sing Geetham, I had to create one. I used to segregate the music into different parts and send them across. Based on the feedback, I made changes and refined the work.

How did you feel after watching the final output?

We all watched the film yesterday at the studio. We were awestruck by Singeetam garu’s vision. We understood how uniquely he thinks. It gave me immense satisfaction.

What kind of experience will the film offer to the audience?

It will offer a completely different experience. Just like the characters in the film, audiences will leave the theatres conversing in a singing style. More importantly, the film will inspire people, as it has been made by a 94-year-old filmmaker.

Mega Power Star Ram Charan’s most-awaited sports action drama Peddi is set for release on June 4. Paid previews are scheduled for tomorrow. The promotional content mesmerized audiences, and the film is surrounded by solid buzz. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the movie stars Janhvi Kapoor as the female lead. Produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru of Vriddhi Cinemas, the film is presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings. Ahead of the release, Buchi Babu Sana interacted with the media, and here is the transcript.
Tell us about the Peddi journey.

My first film, Uppena, was a blockbuster, and I’m coming back after a five-year gap. Generally, such a long gap usually doesn’t happen when a debut film turns out to be a blockbuster, but it happened in my case (laughs). My guru, Sukumar garu, took me to Charan sir, and he liked the script and came on board instantly. After he gave the nod, we completed the shoot in about one and a half years.

Since Peddi is a sports-based film, what kind of care did you take?

Everyone is familiar with cricket, but we took additional care with regard to wrestling. We roped in the trainer who coached Aamir Khan garu for Dangal. We also worked with pehelwans from Telangana. We trained the artists, and Charan sir underwent intense training for about three to four months.

Peddi’s success is so crucial to the industry, right?

The success of a film is equally important for the industry, the director, the hero, and all those associated with the project. But right now, the success of Peddi is more vital to the industry, and the scenario was the same for Uppena too. Back then, there were doubts about whether audiences would return to theatres after COVID-19. People encouraged us, and it became a big hit.

Tell us about Shiva Rajkumar garu, Jagapathi Babu garu, and Divyenndu’s characters.

They were the perfect fit for the roles they have essayed. Shivanna garu will be seen as a guru, and he strives hard to prevent the sport from becoming extinct. The Appalasoori character, played by Jagapathi Babu garu, carries a lot of emotional weight. It is the second most powerful character after the protagonist. Divyenndu’s character will be crazy.

Tell us about AR Rahman garu.

I like Rahman garu a lot, and it has been my long-cherished dream to work with him. I am happy that it happened with Peddi. I have enjoyed working with Rahman garu, and I would love to work with him throughout my career. There are two more songs in the film that we haven’t released yet, and they will be amazing.

A lot is being said about the climax of Peddi. Can you tell us about it?

Presenting a commercial hero in an organic way is very risky. You have to experience it on the big screen. Everyone who has seen the climax has said great things about it.

What can the audience expect from Peddi?

Peddi is a film that can be enjoyed with the family. There will be strong emotions, and the movie will also be commercial. You won’t see Charan sir in the film; you will only see Peddi. Everyone will connect with the Peddi character and his memorable journey.

Did Chiranjeevi garu watch the film?

Not yet. I am eagerly waiting for him to watch the film and share his reaction. Surekha ma’am watched a sequence, and she became very emotional.

Mega Power Star Ram Charan’s rural action sports drama Peddi is directed by Buchi Babu Sana, presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings, and produced on a grand scale by Venkata Satish Kilaru under the Vriddhi Cinemas banner. With good promotional content, expectations are sky-high. The film releases worldwide on June 4th. Kannada Superstar Shiva Rajkumar, who plays a key role, shared his experience during his interaction with the media.

What made you be a part of Peddi?

Peddi has a fantastic story, and my character is designed brilliantly. I genuinely wanted to be part of such a powerful film. I’m very pleased with my role. Gournaidu has a clear purpose and strong motivation. Director Buchi Babu has presented the character beautifully.

Are you playing Ram Charan’s coach in the film?

It is somewhat similar to a coach’s role. Peddi’s journey is wonderful, and many characters keep coming into his life along the way. The bond between Gournaidu and Peddi will be very interesting. The emotional connection and heartfelt moments between them will resonate with audiences.

Tell us about Ram Charan’s performance in Peddi.

I firmly believe Ram Charan will bag a National Award for this film. His physical makeover and performance are extraordinary. He worked incredibly hard and stayed completely dedicated to this role during the whole journey. He completely immersed himself in the Peddi character and performed with absolute honesty.

How was the shooting experience for Peddi?

Ram Charan, director Buchi Babu Sana, and all the technicians treated me with great respect and affection. We had a lovely atmosphere on the sets. We worked like a family, and it helped me perform even better.

Tell us about director Buchi Babu Sana:

His filmmaking style and the way he executes are top-notch. He superbly captured what the story needed and shaped the film brilliantly. He is a fantastic director with exceptional storytelling capability.

There is a lot of discussion around the film’s climax. What can we expect?

It’s the surprising part. I cannot reveal it now. You have to experience it yourself in theatres to truly feel its impact. Peddi will be loved by one and all.

How do you prepare for a role?

Once the director narrates the story, I visualize a style for the character and discuss it with him. Then, I blend his ideas with my own to fully understand and portray the role.

Tell us about your future projects:

I am currently working on Gummadi Narsayya and Jailer 2. If directors approach me with good subjects, I would love to do more Telugu films.

Ram Charan’s most anticipated rural sports drama, Peddi, is gearing up for a grand theatrical release on June 4, 2026, in multiple languages. Buchi Babu Sana of Uppena fame is the director, and the film marks the maiden project for Venkata Satish Kilaru of Vriddhi Cinemas. Ahead of the Peddi trailer launch, we met with him for a small chit-chat, and here is how it went.

There are already huge expectations surrounding the film. What can audiences expect from the trailer?

The expectations will rise even more once the trailer is released. No matter how high the expectations are, the film will surely surpass them. Audiences who watch the trailer will instantly feel like watching the movie in theaters. From the opening title cards until the very end, the film will keep viewers completely engaged. Peddi is a fully packed entertainer. There is tremendous anticipation surrounding the film, and it is gearing up for a grand release across the Telugu states, pan-India markets, and overseas.

Is Sukumar garu involved in Peddi?

I do not think Sukumar garu is directly involved in the making of the film. From the story to the execution, everything has been handled entirely by Buchi Babu garu. He may have initially discussed the story with his guru, Sukumar garu, but once the shoot began, Buchi Babu garu took complete charge of the project.

What about Shiva Rajkumar garu?

Shiva Rajkumar garu, Jagapathi Babu garu, Divyenndu Sharma, Boman Irani, Tinnu Anand, and every other actor in the film have roles that are deeply connected to the story. Each of them completely lived in their characters. Audiences will strongly feel the impact of every role in the film.

What about DOP Rathnavelu garu?

Rathnavelu garu has delivered outstanding visuals for the film. Since the story is set against a 1980s backdrop, our art director, Avinash, created magnificent sets and built a unique world exclusively for Peddi. We also shot in real locations such as Sri Lanka, Pune, and Delhi, which further enhanced the film’s visual richness.

You look very calm and confident ahead of the release?

We have immense confidence in the content we have made, and that belief gives us this calmness. The excitement among audiences will increase even more after they watch the trailer.

What about your next project?

A film with Balakrishna garu is currently underway.

Mega Power Star Ram Charan’s sports action drama Peddi directed by Buchi Babu Sana is set to release on June 4. Produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru of Vriddhi Cinemas, the movie is presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings. The film is already surrounded by massive buzz, and production designer Avinash Kolla has now interacted with the media. Here’s the transcript.

How did you feel when Buchi Babu garu narrated the story?

In my 10 years of career, this is the first time I got so excited for a story. It took me 20 minutes to return to normal state. It has so much emotional depth. That’s when I decided to give it my all to the film.

Since this is a period drama, what extra care did you take regarding sets?

Sets shouldn’t look like sets. That’s when an art director succeeds. In Peddi, they feel so natural that the audience won’t notice them at all.

What were the inputs provided to you?

Peddi story happens in Vizianagaram. The streets, clock tower, and surrounding places were recreated. We also took extreme care regarding cricket and wrestling scenes. The wrestling setup in Peddi is one-of-its-kind. We shot in underground setup and that’s where Charan garu scenes with mace were filmed.

Tell us about the film’s story.

Peddi is a distinct film. People will walk out of the theatre with a heavy heart. They will connect with Peddi’s journey and emotions.

How many sets were erected for Peddi?

From the scratch we built 24 sets. There are around 60-70 setups totally. If it’s a small film we can shoot anywhere. Since it’s a big film, the locations must be comfortable to shoot. We designed the Vizianagaram set in such a way it is weather-resistant.

Tell us about your bonding with Charan garu?

Charan garu appreciated every set designed by me. He extremely liked the train setup, special song set, and wrestling setup. Everyone who came to meet Charan garu lauded the set work.

Young hero Sumanth Prabhas is gearing up to entertain audiences with the romantic drama Godari Gattupaina set against the rural backdrop. Directed by newcomer Subash Chandra and produced by Red Puppet Productions, the film stars Nidhi Pradeep as the female lead. Jagapathi Babu plays a crucial role that adds weight to the narrative. Ahead of the release this Friday, producer Abhinav interacted the media, and here’s the transcript.

Tell us about your background.

I did different businesses in the last 10 years. Cinema is my passion. When I was looking for good scripts, I love the story narrated by Subash Garu. I wanted to do a film that will be universally accepted. Godari Gattupaina is one such story.

How was your experience working on your first film?

It is both exciting and tough. Irrespective of any industry there will be challenges, and that is also the most interesting part. I take up something only when it is of high quality.

Who decided the title?

We considered two to three titles, but we felt Godari Gattupaina suits our story perfectly. I suggested it. Even director liked it, and the title can easily connect with the audience too.

Why did you cast Sumanth Prabhas who is from Telangana?

Any actor likes to take up challenges. For him speaking Telangana dialect is easy. For Godari Gattupaina, he learned Godari dialect and aced it to perfection. He performed brilliantly in the film.

What genre is your favourite?

I like all genres. I love to produce films that will engage audiences. I am planning to make my second film too with Subash Garu.

Tharun Bhascker is coming up with a quirky entertainer titled Gayapadda Simham. Kasyap Sreenivas is the director, and the film is produced jointly by Kalyana Chakravarthy Manthina, Bhanu Kiran Pratapa, Vijay Krishna Lingamaneni, and Umesh Bansal under Saptaswa Media Works, POV Stories, and Zee Studios. Manasa Choudhary and Faria Abdullah play the female leads. Ahead of the release on May 1, Faria Abdullah interacted with the media, and here’s the transcript.

Tell us about your character in the film.

I did a good cameo role in Gaayapadda Simham. I play Shalini, a vlogger. Also, I have a romantic track with Tharun garu. Director Kashyap garu wrote my character in a different way. Everything is hilarious about Gaayapadda Simham.

Could you tell us about the story?

The story has many layers, and every character holds prominence. My role has a fun element which audiences will enjoy. This is a film with ultimate repeat value.

How do you pick stories?

If I like a story then definitely I will be part of that film. Gaayapadda Simham has a crazy plot. It sounded new and it will entertain audiences.

How was it working with Tharun Bhascker garu?

He is a jovial person. His comedy timing will be on another level. I enjoyed working with Tharun Bhascker garu. Even his small expression will leave me in splits. I saw the final output. I firmly believe the film will be a hit.

Tell us about the director.

Kashyap garu’s comedy timing is very peculiar. He handled action, comedy, and romance superbly. He also played a role in the film. Not just his direction, but his acting is also amazing.

Tell us about your future projects.

I am writing stories currently, and I plan to direct a film next year. As a performer, I am doing Bhagavanthudu and Sigma. Two more projects will kickstart soon. Also, I have a film lined-up with Satyadev garu.

Tharun Bhascker will be next seen in the quirky entertainer Gayapadda Simham. Kasyap Sreenivas is the writer and director for this film, produced jointly by Kalyana Chakravarthy Manthina, Bhanu Kiran Pratapa, Vijay Krishna Lingamaneni, and Umesh Bansal under Saptaswa Media Works, POV Stories, and Zee Studios. It is presented by Pavan Sadineni. Faria Abdullah and Maanasa Choudhary played female leads, while JD Chakravarthy played a key role. Ahead of the release on May 1, JD Chakravarthy interacted with the media, and here is the transcript.

What made you come on board for Gayappada Simham?

When something is challenging in the character arc, it excites any artist. I told one thing when my character glimpse was released. I am repeating it. The characters played by Kamal Haasan garu weren’t done by others. With Gayappada Simham, I achieved what Kamal Haasan garu couldn’t with regard to the character. It’s a very unique role.

You are doing films at a very slow pace. Do you take time to pick stories?

From the starting days of my career, I have always followed this approach. Only if I like a story will I do a film.

Will Dharma’s character stand out more than the hero’s role?

Only when the story is good will a film perform well. My character name in Shiva became my own name. People will recognize only when you say JD Chakravarthy. In the same way, Bhavani, Satya, Bhiku Matre, and Kallumama characters became memorable. But when the story doesn’t work out, characters won’t strike a chord. Even if the character clicks, the movie won’t. My favorite character is in “Wife of V. Varaprasad,” but that movie didn’t perform.

A few words about director Kashyap Sreenivas.

Kashyap Sreenivas earlier worked on short films and web shows. I liked his style very much. He is very confident. He made the film with realistic and hilarious elements.

Do you think OTTs are affecting theatres?

New content is being created because of OTT. In the same manner, for a film to do well in theatres, the content must be good. A small film like Little Hearts did well in theatres. Now, audiences have multiple options. If they don’t like something, they won’t watch it on OTT either.

Adivi Sesh, known for his strong script choices, is gearing up to entertain audiences with the romantic action drama Dacoit. The movie, also starring Mrunal Thakur, is set to hit theatres on April 10. The film is backed by Supriya Yarlagadda and co-produced by Suniel Narang, with Annapurna Studios presenting it. Dacoit marks the directorial debut of Shaniel Deo and the Tollywood debut of Anurag Kashyap. Ahead of the release, Adivi Sesh interacted with the media, and here’s the transcript.

Your previous films also had love stories. What’s so unique about Dacoit?

In my previous films, love stories became helpful in reaching the big platform. They were a small part of the films. For Dacoit love story forms the core. You will love to see action in a romantic film, but you will be disappointed to see a romantic track in an actioner. Emotions will be organic.

Dacoit was delayed. What’s the reason for it?

To be honest, there was no delay. It’s the way I do films. For the last two years, I have been working non-stop. Since there hasn’t been a release, you might feel that way.

Whose idea was it to include the Kannepettaro song remix?

In one of the scenes, the protagonist will be in an enjoyable mood. When narrating that sequence, Surpiya garu asked me when I danced for the first time. I told her that I danced to Kannepettaro and Cheez Bade Hey songs. She suggested that we should include those songs. The placement of the song will be good.

When did you think of releasing Dacoit in Dolby Cinema?

We had that thought from the very beginning. One day, Allu Aravind Garu called and asked me for collaboration, as he felt the movie was promising. I was very pleased to hear that and agreed without any second thoughts.

What challenges did you face while doing stunts?

It’s always tough doing stunts and chase sequences. I got hurt in the knee, too. Hence, the production was delayed by two to three months. Because of the injury, Goodachari 2 was also affected. Doctors suggested me not to perform action sequences. In Dacoit, fights are more in number than stunts. We shot on top of the mountains in extreme heat.

You look the same as you did during your initial days. What’s the secret?

I don’t smoke. I don’t consume alcohol. Also, I won’t eat non-veg food. Since I grew up in America, I can’t eat spicy food (laughs).

With the Pan-India action romantic thriller Dacoit set to hit theaters on April 10, 2026, Mrunal Thakur is all set to showcase a completely new side of herself. Starring Adivi Sesh and featuring Anurag Kashyap in a key role, the film is directed by debutant Shaniel Deo and backed by Annapurna Studios. On this occasion, we caught up with Mrunal Thakur for a quick chat. Here are the excerpts.

What drew you to Dacoit and your character Saraswati?

What really excited me was the emotional journey of the character. Saraswati is layered and complex, and the story explores why these characters turn into dacoits. It’s not just action, there’s a unique love story at the heart of it. That’s what made it very interesting for me.

You’re known for emotional roles. How different is this one?

This is completely different from what I’ve done before. Saraswati is one of the most challenging roles in my career. There’s action, intensity, and a raw emotional side. It pushed me as an actor and gave me a lot of satisfaction.

We see you doing action in the trailer. How was that experience?

I really enjoyed it. I love driving, so the chase sequences were exciting. But they were also quite risky. I had to perform intense driving scenes, including handling an ambulance in high-pressure moments. It was challenging but very thrilling.

How different is Saraswati from Sita in Sita Ramam?

They are completely different. Audiences have seen me in a certain light before, but this film shows a totally new side. I think that surprise factor will really connect.

How was it working with Adivi Sesh and Anurag Kashyap?

Sesh is extremely dedicated and very involved in every aspect of filmmaking. It was inspiring to work with him, and I feel this will be one of his best performances. Anurag sir is very versatile, and his role in the film will be quite special.

The film is shot in both Telugu and Hindi. Was that challenging?

Yes, performing in two languages added a layer of difficulty, but it also made the experience more exciting. It required a different level of focus.

The music has already created buzz. What can we expect?

Yes, “Rubaroo” has been getting great response, and there’s more to come. The music is definitely one of the highlights of the film.

What can audiences expect from Dacoit overall?

It’s a film with strong emotions, intense action, and a different kind of love story. Visually also, it will feel very fresh. It’s a complete theatrical experience, and I’m sure it will surprise audiences.