While mainstream Telugu cinema directors have mostly played safe in an attempt to please large number of audience, Krish Jagarlamudi has gone beyond the comfort zone and narrated a story that has pushed boundaries and reflected a social conscience.
The director who made Gamyam and Vedam includes Lord Krishna either in his character or set pieces to show that he is pushed by his philosophy; celebration of life as a great play.
The man is currently in the news as his movie Vedam remade as Vaanam is being applauded in Chennai. The audience in the theatres have given a standing ovation as he has not presented a villain as a hero but as an ideal man who evolves from imperfect to perfect, in other words how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
Krish was inclined to make this film in Hindi for a wider reach, but Simbhu who bought the rights in Tamil wanted him to direct. He is now in Hyderabad after nine months accompanied by his success story. What changes did he make to suit the taste of the Tamil audience? The director says, “we are all Dravidians, rice eating people with similar tastes. All I had to do was translate and in some places take the help of assistant directors. I ensured that the people felt the story took place in their land.”
Krish cites an interesting incident and draws a comparison between Tamil and Telugu audience. “In a scene when Allu Arjun returns the money to the old man, the Telugu audience cried, whereas Tamil fans clapped and whistled; they were fascinated and enthralled, the way they responded was different. They are widely read and exposed to cinema.”
The director laughs and adds that he is tired of shooting in villages, slums and his next project will be in some virgin location abroad; “it will be loud, there will be bigger fights and extravagant sets.” Whatever the nature of his film or background one is sure, Krish has his heart in the right place. He is capable of showing a rich arrogant guy as a winsome character in the same breath as his poor characters. A social commentary, human relations is his forte and none can dispute that.
