Renowned journalist-writer Dr. Rentala Jayadeva has authored a compendium titled 'Mana Cinema... First Reel'. Acclaimed filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas has unveiled the book.
Trivikram Srinivas began by stating that the first reel, interval, and climax are crucial elements of any film. He then mentioned that the book is so titled because it delves into the early days of Telugu cinema. He confessed to having only read 200 pages of the book, but he acknowledged that others had read it in its entirety, so he refrained from going into great detail. He compared the book to the first reel of a film, stating that just as the first reel captivates the audience within ten minutes, the book immerses the reader in the history of cinema within the first ten pages. He then humorously admitted that he is not typically drawn to investigative texts and that he is not strong in history. He recalled his fear of history exams in school, which led him to choose mathematics and science instead. He found the prospect of studying history, starting from the inscriptions of time and learning about all the kings, to be overwhelming. However, he was able to finish 200 pages of the book in the time it took him to drink two coffees, highlighting the book's captivating narrative.
Trivikram Srinivas further stated that he had never encountered anyone as passionate about movies as Jayadeva. He emphasized that Jayadeva has demonstrated how authentically a true cinema lover can write a book about cinema. He sincerely hoped that Jayadeva would dedicate more time to writing books before pursuing a career in filmmaking. He clarified that Jayadeva did not merely write a book called First Reel; he actually told the story of the first talkies in South Indian languages like Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. He likened the book to a novel, stating that once you start reading, you can easily finish three-quarters of it within two to three hours, despite its 500-page length.
In conclusion, Trivikram asserted that Jayadeva is much more than just a columnist. He emphasized that Jayadeva possesses all the essential qualities of a true writer. He acknowledged that he himself takes two to three years to write and direct a film, so he understood the need for time. He expressed his sincere wish that Jayadeva would continue to write more books like First Reel in the future.
Dr. Rentala Jayadeva thanked Trivikram for the honours. He also revealed that his sister's persuasion made him write the book.
