The story of Agadha centers on a fundamental conflict where Agadha is personified as an evil force standing against the divine. The supernatural thriller, scheduled to be released in theatres on August 14, is written and directed by MS Raju.
In this interview, Raju talks about the film's merits, the performances (especially by Kamakshi Bhaskarla and Shravan Reddy), and other strengths on which the film operates.
Agadha refers to something profound. Let's call it an unfathomable depth. Though none of us have physically witnessed gods or demons, this film delves into the high-stakes clash between these unseen, transcendent forces. From a theatrical perspective, youth and mass moviegoers drive the crucial opening-day momentum. Once that foundation is set, strong word-of-mouth brings family audiences to the theaters to sustain its success.
Agadha meant extensive research. I traveled to numerous places. My priority was translating those experiences into pure entertainment for everyone. I blended the reality I observed with my own imagination.
The film is tailored specifically to the sensibilities of today's generation. I am sure it will resonate as strongly with multiplex crowds as it does with single-screen audiences. This mystic divine thriller is surely going to have a follow-up. Whether it's a prequel or a sequel is something I will reveal in due course of time.
Throughout my career, I have always maintained warm and genuine relationships with all my heroes. After watching the teaser and trailer of Agadha, Mahesh Babu sent me a supportive voice message saying I was really going to hit it out of the park this time, while Prabhas encouragingly told me that I was going to rock it. Even Venkatesh, whom I met during a shoot with Trivikram, spoke to me with immense warmth and affection. The fans of all the heroes I have worked with have consistently stood by me.
I had no plans to sell the movie. The Hombale Films team from Karnataka approached us after the release of the trailer. Representatives from both Geetha Arts and Annapurna Studios came to watch the film. That's when the distribution was done. For now, my plan is to release the movie locally first before rolling it out in other languages. The dubbing work for all versions has already been completed. I have clearly informed buyers that we will only release the film on an OTT platform 60 days after its theatrical premiere, so that deal remains on hold for now.
I am deeply involved in every aspect of the films I make. I meticulously plan every frame. Even during my time purely as a producer, I actively brainstormed stories with directors, who always valued and incorporated my creative input. The craft matters to me immensely, which is evident in the technical effort behind Agadha. If you thought the VFX in the teaser and trailer looked impressive, the visual standard in the full film will exceed those expectations even further.
At the pre-release event, Shyam Prasad Reddy made a remark that truly captured who I am as a filmmaker: "The M.S. Raju I know will not make a film relying only on horror elements. There will be many other aspects to it." His words reflect a deep understanding of my approach to cinema. Exactly as he noted, Agadha extends far beyond conventional jumpscares and terrifying tropes. It weaves together multiple narrative layers.
While Aata and Maska were commercially successful projects, many critics and audience members felt they didn't quite measure up to the high standards set by my earlier work, after which I shifted my focus toward supporting my son's career. Years later, I returned with Dirty Hari, a project that diverged completely from my usual style. It has been my lifelong commitment to embracing fresh narratives and proving that I can tackle any genre. I want to produce strong commercial cinema that resonates with a broad audience. Right now, I am focusing on the story, screenplay, writing, and filmmaking. I am not getting involved in the financial aspects at this point. During the making of Devi, I faced severe financial hardships, yet I constantly felt an intangible power pushing me forward. I feel there was a force guiding me throughout the making of Agadha.
