'30 Rojullo Preminchadam Ela' will release in theatres on January 29. Starring Pradeep Machiraju and Amritha Aiyer, it's a rom-com directed by debutant Phani Pradeep aka Munna. In this interview, the director talks about the film.
I am a fan of movies like 'Nuvve Kavali' and 'Aakasam'. When I watched Adivi Sesh's 'Kshanam', I liked how he could make such a project on a small budget. '30 Rojullo Preminchadam Ela' fell into place after Bunny Vas garu okayed the story. I approached SV Babu garu, the producer of the movie. When I met him, he was in a sleepy mood. I felt that my story will shake off his sleepiness if it is good. That's what happened.
I like reincarnation stories. I have always wondered what must have been Devadas's inner voice when he died a pathetic death. Did he regret loving Parvathi? Did Parvathi regret falling in love with him? This movie was born with this thought.
Sukumar garu once told me that how we tell the story is more important than what is the story. The Ramayanam has been told several times, in different ways. I worked as an assistant under Sukumar garu when I was a software engineer at Cognizant. It was in 2011 that I left the job. I have also been a ghostwriter. I can't reveal their names.
When I got a job at Cognizant, everyone in the family was happy. But I cried. My aim was to become a movie director. I thought of entering the film industry after completing MCA. I am glad that my debut movie didn't end up on the OTT.
The hero and heroine in my movie hate each other. There comes a point when they have to fall in love with each other in 30 days. What is the reason? You have to watch the movie to know that. The film is a mix of both romance and comedy.
When Bunny Vasu garu watched the movie, he hugged me and told me the film will be released on Geetha Arts' company.
The songs are among the biggest strengths of this movie. 'Neeli Neeli Aakasam' has become such a rage because there is a story in it. I am inspired by directors like K Viswanath garu and Sukumar garu in conceiving such songs. It was Pradeep Machiraju who suggested to me Anup Rubens' name. I was skeptical, given he has worked with Pawan Kalyan. He didn't even demand remuneration of a certain amount. That's Anup.
Two big banners have offered me advance amounts even before the arrival of '30 Rojullo Preminchadam Ela'. The result of my debut movie will decide the course of the projects.
