'Ashoka Vanamlo Arjuna Kalyanam' is heading to theatres on May 6. Produced by Bapineedu and Sudheer Edara, it is directed by Vidhya Sagar Chinta.
The film has been written by its show-runner Ravi Kiran Kola. In this interview, the 'Raja Vaaru Rani Gaaru' director says what makes the Vishwak Sen-starrer different. Starring Rukshar Dhillon as the heroine, 'Ashoka Vanamlo Arjuna Kalyanam' touches upon issues concerning love and marriage in a mature way, the writer says.
I am this film's show-runner, a concept that is new to feature films. Usually, only OTT shows and web series have show-runners. Show-running has been started in SVCC, the film banner. A show-runner takes up creative responsibilities like a director. A web series has multiple episodes filmed by more than one director. The show-runner ensures uniformity and consistency.
I am directing a political drama for Matinee Entertainment. Since it is a big-span movie, it is taking time to be completed. I have penned the story of 'Ashoka Vanamlo Arjuna Kalyanam'. I couldn't direct the movie because I am busy with the political drama. The producer of 'AVAK' pitched the offer for me to be a show-runner and I gladly accepted it.
I worked with this film's director Vidhya Sagar Chinta on my debut project 'Raja Vaaru Rani Gaaru'. He is an able hand.
We couldn't have imagined Vishwak Sen for the role of a 33-year-old unmarried man. After all, he is known for energetic roles. An unlikely actor has been cast for the role on purpose. His image is in total contrast with the character he has played.
Our film shows love, life and marriage from a new perspective. It's an entertainer that also touches upon a lot of relevant topics in our society. It's a layered drama that way. The male lead's age is 33. He ends up finding an alliance out of his caste. She is not from his State either. Every single issue has been narrated in a novel way. The male lead's walking style, how he wears a lungi, how he folds up his pants, how he holds a cigarette, how he stands... everything is different. Nowhere has Vishwak Sen deviated from his characterization.
We have seen enough films where a 25-something guy falls in love with a girl, fights with opponents/parents, and lives happily ever after with her. The purpose of 'Ashoka Vanamlo..' is something else. It wants to tell the story of a man who is in his early 30s and is struggling in love/marriage matters.
You will find at least 30 artists in the film. Say, 20 of them hail from Telangana and the rest are from Andhra Pradesh in keeping with the story. There is no emphasis on the regional backdrops. The nativity of the lead pair hasn't been highlighted.
The audience are going to talk about the background music and songs. The visuals are pleasing.
The Godavari backdrop has come out really well. I studied the behaviour of people there. Their language, the detailing, the specific character types have been used to enrich the screenplay. 'Pushpa' explored Chittoor, some other film explored Srikakulam. This is a good trend, and freshness is guaranteed that way.
The prank video has courted needless controversy. You can clearly see that it has been made for fun. If people are offended, then we are ready to apologize.
My next film, a political drama, is going to feature a star hero. It is definitely beyond my age. I did research and have written the story in such a way that no political leader or party is offended. I am also engaged with a web series that is an adventure drama.
