It was very important for Vi Anand to deliver a hit with Ekkadiki Pothava Chinnavada , one, because Tiger though being a good story did not reach the required numbers to be a hit and Nikhil was hugely upset for choosing Shankarabharanam . He had to bounce back at any cost. With EPC ’s success, Vi Anand infused confidence amongst filmmakers that he is an auteur who can pull off concept stories convincingly in a decent budget. So is Vi Anand looking to work with stars post Okka Kshanam release this December? Anand is clear in his mind when he says, “I want to make my foundation strong. I don’t want to get into the big league and compromise on some aspects of filmmaking. Audience is moving towards new kind of stories due to their exposure to world films, irrespective of which segment and centre they belong to. The coming few years will focus on concept movies.”
Elaborating on the pressure that star actors face regarding sticking to safe territory and big directors, Anand says this happens because of the huge money invested on them. “The sheer pressure and responsibility makes them do the formula films though they are really inclined towards concept cinema,” and he adds, “multi-starrers are the next big thing in Telugu film industry as audience want everything fresh. It is getting very challenging to please them. They are aware that the movie has to have the stuff no matter what the promotion is.”
A still from ‘Ókka Kshanam’
For directors who want to experiment with subjects, it’s not that easy to convince producers and actors. “My last film worked in my favour. Nikhil believed in different concept. My film in Tamil titled Apuchi Gramam was encouraging. Sirish (Who acts in Okka Kshanam ) is also passionate about his craft and wants to do something different. Choices we make decide if it is going to be a tough or a smooth journey.”
Anand recollects Nikhil and Sirish doing a great deal of homework in their respective films. He had one on one sessions and would tell Sirish how different he is from his earlier character. They had innumerable discussions with clarity — the body language, his food habits and many such things. These small details, he says will add value to the characters. He avers, “It is a romantic thriller and all elements have bit of scientific element. Science is the backdrop of the movie. Okka Kshanam will be roller coaster ride with an emotional connect.”
The director ups the curiosity quotient by revealing small details of the story co-starring Surbhi and Seerat Kapoor. He questions what if you come to know if there is someone who is living a similar kind of life that you are leading and they are living few years ahead. Their present is your future. It also shows all that you come to know what is going to happen in the future. He says, “What if you come across someone who is actually living same kind of incidents that you are coming across now. It gives you goosebumps. It is about parallel life and not to do anything with time travel. It is a love story and hero is fighting a different enemy..that is destiny. There is an enemy and it is invisible and don’t know how to win and where. Enemy is strong because it being destiny, the core emotion is love.”
There are lot of characters who face situations where their life becomes upside down and how their decisions change the course of life. There is lot of connection to script and screenplay and also mood of the film in a varied way. He signs off, “We have a strong message that the audience can take out from it and feel positive. Jeeva played by Allu Sirish is a laid back, non ambitious and a very common guy. You can relate to this kind of a guy.”
