Concept: The scientific thriller is laced with a love story. The story unravels layer after layer using the multiple narration technique, a rare genre in Telugu cinema. Ramana Salva had debuted as a director with Kudirithe Cuppu Coffee . In his second venture he combines drama with mystery which he says has a touch of Alfred Hitchcock.
Director’s take: Tarakaratna plays Sekhar, the role of a journalist, a mystery buster. Whenever he comes across a mysterious happening, he investigates and proves that it is just a myth. The interesting point is what happens when such a person gets involved in a mystery. Panchi Bora is cast as Yamini, an archeology student and a very brave girl. But she faces a situation that makes her fearful. How the brave girl tackles the haunting experience is linked to the journalist’s investigation. Her animated emotions pep up the scenes.
Among the other actors – Suman’s role is that of a clairvoyant, who claims to have supernatural abilities, Nasser plays a monk. Beeram Masthan Rao (who passed away recently) is cast in a significant role. Seetharama Sastry and Rama Jogaiah Sastry’s lyrics made my job easy in conveying the complicated mystic elements in the story. Seetharama Sastry’s son Yogeswara Sarma composed the tunes for two of the three songs while ‘Vandemataram’ Srinivas tuned the other song. Krishna Chinn also wrote a lyric.
Anup Tej is Chandra, a pivotal character and the story builds up momentum on the three main characters. Yamini means darkness, Chandra represents reflection and Sekhar is the blaze, a dazzling bright light. Now you get the title (smiles).
What producer Muppa Ankamma Rao says : Though I made plans to produce a film way back in 1986 with hero Krishna’s son Ramesh in the lead, I ended up joining Padmalaya Studios. For the industry folks I am ‘Padmalaya’ Ankamma Chowdhary. Now I have realised my dream by forming a production company along with Narasimha Rao (co-director with ace Tamil director Sankar), Venkata Ramana Salva and choreographer Sridhar Yarva. Our aim is to produce strong content-based movies and also to win back the pre-eminence for the producer.
Progress: After an initial schedule at Araku Valley and Vizag, the unit shifted to Hyderabad where most of the movie was shot at various locations. Now complete, it is slated for release on February 21.
YAMINI CHANDRASEKHAR
Cast: Tarakaratna, Panchi Bora, Anup Tej
Writer, Director, Cinematographer: Venkata Ramana Salva
Music: Yogeswara Sarma, ‘Vandemataram’ Srinivas
Banner: Muppa Kranthi Chitra
