HYDERABAD: We meet Manjula Naidu after a span of six years and find her joie de vivre intact. On being asked about any changes, she quips, “My size.” Inspired and accomplished are attributes used to describe her but the two things that also define her are her spirited and her happy-go-lucky attitude.
“I was actually planning to retire. I am a grandmother now and I thought I would have some fun with kids but I need that also,” ‘That’ is her fondness to tell stories visually; stories of love, sacrifice, family relations and values. These elements have been the high points of her serials and continue with her new serial Kerataalu. But the project doesn’t have her sister Bindu Naidu. “Bindu has been writing solo for 13 years. She wanted a break to reinvent and rejuvenate herself,” she explains.
Interestingly, the inspiration for Kerataalu came from the small screen.
“We see a lot of violence these days on television and one person copies the other without any kind of sense. There is so much noise and chaos that I thought we should offer something calm. Although it feels Jurassic, I felt, ‘Let’s go back to the values, the family system where parents and children are together. Earlier, serials showed so much of love, caring and sacrifice for each other,” she says, going nostalgic.
As always the original storyline is by Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani (‘My godmother’) and the team includes writer Usha Rani and Sanjeev, who is handling the screenplay. Kerataalu, aired on Gemini also marks an important milestone in her career as she completes 25 years in the industry.
She started in in 1990 - Agamanam with Roopa Devi and learnt work from her husband Sudhakar Pallemala.
Interestingly the channel also airs reruns of three of her serials — Chakravakam (at 2.30 p.m.with edited scenes), Mogali Rekalu (telecast twice) and Agnipoolu, followed by Kerataalu . Also, Chakravakam was remade in Kannada and Malayalam. .
Manjula is not one to bask in her accomplishments. “I never felt I am a woman director. I never felt like a species doing something different. I don’t have anything to romanticise my journey. Inni kashtalu paddamu, anni kashtaalu paddamu ani cheppukodaaniki emi ledu . Maybe because my husband is a producer, it was easy for us. There was no need for Bindu and me to go to a channel or agencies.” Her success mantra, she says is to do well and be content with it. “I never compare my work with anybody else’s work’,” she points out and adds, “I tell this to my team also. ‘Never think that someone has done so well and we have to do like that. Do your work, do it well and be satisfied with what you are doing.’ The end result will be good and if it is not good, a creative person will not be able to sleep”
Manjula occasionally watches television and loves to catch up on MasterChef and Dharmakshetra on Epic Channel. There is an instant glow on Manjula’s face when we talk about Ruthuragalu, her ‘first love’ “It was a lovely journey for me. I discovered and surprised myself,” she shares and adds, “I didn't know I could take a shot. I entered the industry when I didn’t know the difference between a shot and take. I was in awe of everything and couldn’t believe I could narrate a story visually. When actors/ writers came up with doubts, I cleared them. I had to convince myself to convince others.”
Speaking on the present-day small screen scenario, she states, “It has become decadent and hurting sensibilities. I can’t understand why makers can’t entertain people without being vulgar. People will watch a good show or porno. The choice is with the makers as to what they want to show. There is no respect or reverence towards language, expression or values.”
The trick is to present the content suiting the sensibilities of the new generation, she observes. “I will tell my story in their language. Age doesn't matter, content does. What are we saying and how we are we saying it matters.”
Does she reflect on her journey? “I studied and got into television. My husband literally pushed me into the industry. Financial ups and downs are all part of the game. There have been hundreds of technicians, who have worked with me. During award functions, I feel funny when they come to receive the award and touch my feet. I am jumping all around. It embarrasses me; I didn’t still put myself there. Not yet.”
Favourite serials
All stories are unique. But ‘Ruthuragalu’ is on one side and the other serials on the other side. That is the only rating I give.
