Maruthi is super confident about Shailaja Reddy Alludu . He hopes he will score a hat-trick with this one, following Bhale Bhale Magadivoy and Mahanubhavudu which fared well at the box office. This time he has picked up a human foible, ego, and woven a story around it. When he set out to do a film with Naga Chaitanya, he was aware that the Akkinenis have a vast family audience, especially those who enjoy romantic movies.
He felt that since the mother-in-law and son-in-law theme hasn’t been touched for a long time, he might as well explore that concept with Ramya Krishna and Naga Chaitanya playing the eponymous roles. Talking about the theme and Ramya Krishna’s role the director shares, “The attha alludu concept was dealt in 80s and 90s. Here I made sure there is no major conflict between Ramya Krishna and Naga Chaitanya that would remind you of yesteryear films; it only shows the latter becoming a victim of mom-daughter ego clashes. That they love each other like crazy is a different matter. The conflict between the two women is so much that Chaitanya can’t marry Anu Emmanuel till both the mom and daughter make peace. It is a full fledged role for Anu Emmanuel. Ramya Krishna looks beautiful irrespective of whether when she smiles or sulks. We’ve already seen her tough, angry side in Baahubali, now I showed the fun aspect of her in this storyVennela Kishore and Prudhvi are the other pillars.”
Prudhvi plays a manager to both the women and is drained communicating, interpreting and passing messages, between them, all the while serving as their punching bag. Ramya Krishna as Shailaja Reddy doesn’t talk to her daughter for years, so Prudhvi’s presence is indispensable, right from communicating that they are hungry to discussing the most significant events in their life. The trailer shows he cannot even relieve himself in peace. Maruthi says, “If the daughter cooks something delicious, the mother asks Prudhvi ‘Manikyam did you cook all this’? Compliments too are indirect, through him. Chaitanya says if he were to come in between, the distance will grow further between the mother and daughter.”
Maruthi on set with Vennela Kishore
Is there any song and dance between atta and alludu ? Maruthi says a firm no and questions which mother-in-law dances with her son-in-law these days. Those days it was accepted and only if such songs were incorporated, films would become super hit.
Vennela Kishore’s rising popularity prompted Maruthi to shoot one episode on him much after the film was wrapped up. Kishore works as Naga Chaitanya’s manager and in the second half of the film, there is scope for some more comedy. He explains, “People expect at least one completely entertaining episode from me. I have a set a benchmark for myself to churn out healthy comedy.”
He adds, “Music is a highlight. Also this is Nizar Shafi’s third film in a row with me as a cinematographer. There is a tempo that I followed in the last 20 minutes, there is no disorder in the screenplay. The entire film has been shot in Hyderabad.”
Why is Maruthi lending his banner name for films not directed by him? After all, all the films he was associated as a producer not only tanked at the box office but had the audience wondering if he’s doing it only for money. Maruthi clarifies that he is committed to helping certain people and by producing small films he’s able to provide employment to at least 30 people. He avers, “The intention was to encourage them. But I will rethink on it soon. Contrary to what people think, I actually lost around five crore producing and publicising such cinema. I am wasting a lot of time and energy. I could instead use that time to write my stories. All I can say is we direct and produce films with a hope that they do well. No one deliberately gets into a wrong venture. I have a loyal family audience and I will never disappoint them. I am aware of my responsibility and Shailaja Reddy Alludu is a sure shot validation of that.”
