A quirky tale

Seems Manikonda is fast replacing Film Nagar as the preferred destination for film shoots in bungalows and apartments. Producer Satish Mandava hired an apartment and made it the hero’s residence to shoot some key portions for his debut movie, Chandrudu. As you step in to watch the day’s shoot, you spot veteran actress Jayasudha, hero Krishnudu and Jai, a newcomer to Telugu films from Kerala. They are in conversation with director Sathyanarayana Dwarapudi while cinematographer S. Arun Kumar and his unit check the light and angles. The camera focused on Krishnudu and Jai who are sitting on the sofa conversing.

In the scene, Krishnudu tries to convince Jai about an issue that seems to be bothering him. As they turn towards the kitchen door, the camera too shifts and focuses on Jayasudha who is standing there listening to their words. She looked at Krishnudu with tears in her eyes. As she walked towards him and Jai, the director ordered, ‘cut’ nodding with satisfaction.

“It is a kind of a reunion scene. Jayasudha plays mother to Krishnudu the elder one and Jai the younger. Jai, a movie director married a woman he loved much against the wish of his mother and had to leave the house. At one stage, Krishnudu felt that Jai should be back in the family to look after their mother. He succeeds in bringing him home. The mother is happy that her younger son is back but she is also worried about her elder son. The tears in her eyes convey both happiness and anguish. Naturally, we cannot think of any actress other than sahaja nati Jayasudha garu for that role ,” says Sathyanarayana giving an insight into the scene, during the break.

It is a remake of Sashant Shah’s critically acclaimed 2008 Hindi hit, Dasvidaniya. Sathyanarayana who had earlier directed Pelli kaani Prasad said that its Chaplinsque humour appealed to him and he decided to bring it Telugu audience with a remake version bringing in slight changes in the script.

“The subject driven movie is both light bantered as well as poignant. The hero has 10 wishes to fulfil in his life. How he achieved them is narrated in a heart touching manner without missing on the entertainment aspect. Siva Balaji plays a crucial role while Abhinaya is cast as a social activist and as the hero’s childhood sweetheart. Krishna Bhagwan plays hero’s guitar guru. Dharamavarapu Subrahmanyam, M.S. Narayana, Kalyani and Ramesh appear in pivotal characters. Parthu (singer Parthasarathy) who had earlier assisted Manisarma composed the music.

We have completed most of the talkie part and in the next schedule we will shoot the songs and the remaining talkie part so as to release the film in August,” concluded Sathyanarayana Dwarapudi watching his unit getting ready to shoot the next scene.

CHANDRUDU

Cast: Krishnudu, Siva Balaji, Jayasudha, Abhinaya

Screenplay, Direction: Sathyanarayana Dwarapudi

Music: Parthu

Banner: Yellow Line Pictures