Versatile artiste Varalakshmi Sarathkumar in the lead role in the movie ‘Sabari’. Produced by Mahendranath Kundla under Maha Movies banner under Maharshi Kundla. Anil Katz is the director. Apart from Telugu, the film is releasing in Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Kannada languages on May 3th. On this occasion, producer Mahendranath Kundla interacted with the media. Highlights of that interview…
Your background? Reason for getting into movies?
Ours is Guntur. I went to America for a job. Worked there for several years. I have consultancies and businesses. Regardless of where I am professionally and professionally…I have been interested in cinema since childhood. So, I came into the industry.
How did the movie ‘Sabari’ start?
Varalakshmi Sarath Kumar is the main reason for making this movie. My director told me this story when I was thinking about my first film. I liked it very much. I did it right away. Varalakshmi Sarath Kumar had already heard this story. Any producer will look for the safe side for the first film! Varalakshmi is selecting good characters from the front. I told ‘Sabari’ that I am 50 percent safe if she did OK.
What made you okay with this story?
Mother and daughter emotion and sentiment in the movie. It is a connecting point for everyone, in every home. The better it can be said, the better it goes to the masses. We have planned it as a psychological thriller based on the quest of a mother for a child. We said in Emotions Different Way. Mother and daughter emotions are seen in some movies. In this we said differently.
Tell us about the film journey with Varalakshmi Sarath Kumar?
Wonderful. She is a good artist. Many people do not know the good she does for the producers. She never asked to pay for it. Budget raising affairs were never done. They used to say why they are spending so much. I have such a good relationship with her… ‘I will do another film for you. Let’s do it’, they told me.
Tell us about the action sequences in the film?
Action sequences are designed as part of the story. Nothing has been done to make fights in a commercial format except that the action comes as the emotional drama continues. The director has written the story well. Varalakshmi worked very hard for action sequences.
Releasing on the same day in all languages?
Yes Andy. Same day release! I am doing my own release. Apart from Telugu, there are artists from other languages. Gopisunder gave good music and re-recording. This is a film that will be loved by artists of all languages.
Wasn’t it risky to make the first film in five languages?
It seemed a little risky. However, from the beginning my nature was a bit of a risk taker. I went to America and started the business a week after joining the job. Isn’t it called no risk no gain! They believe that if they take risks, they will come out on top in life. When you come to movies, you say it’s okay to do it in five languages. I am new to talking to Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil distributors. However, I am doing well without falling back anywhere.
How was your first film experience as a producer?
Every new producer has some ups and downs. Despite small difficulties, we did well. Like everyone else, I love cinema, but I don’t have any acquaintances or relatives in the industry. Standing alone. Made a movie. There are no complaints but there are minor problems. As a producer we have to work hard to stand here. Even if it’s hard. Working for 18 hours since childhood.
What was the budget? We heard that it is more!
Yes. There is no relation between the previous budget and the subsequent budget. Do not stop in the middle of starting a task. Apart from the budget matters… a good film was not given to the audience. My problems don’t need an audience. It was difficult to give them a good movie. I never felt that ‘why did I come to the industry’.
Limited to construction? Do you do it as a director or an actor?
No such thoughts. If one of our directors asks me to look funny, I will do it, but I will not be able to act. That is not my profession. When the production started, I wanted to do only the construction.
What are the next movies?
My second film is under production as a producer with Varun Sandesh as the hero. Bigg Boss Amardeep and Surekha Vani’s daughter Supritha are doing their third film as a couple.
