Debutant director Shouree Chandrashekhar T Ramesh is confident that 'Butta Bomma' will thrill the audience. What seems to be a love story, in the beginning, goes on to become a thriller. In remaking the Malayalam film 'Kappela', which he watched during the covid lockdown and felt can be adapted into Telugu much like 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum' (remade as 'Bheemla Nayak'), Ramesh and his team made several screenplay choices. In this interview, the new director takes us through the making of the social thriller that comes with a twist.
The film hits the cinemas on February 4.
Although I was born and brought up in Hyderabad, I first worked on Bollywood movies in the direction department. E Nivas was my first director. 'Shool', 'Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega', 'Bardaasht', and 'Dum' are my pre-Tollywood ventures. Later, thanks to someone I know, I joined director Sukumar. 'Jagadam' was my first movie with him. I was associated with him for many years.
I have zero film background. My father, Chandrasekhar garu, was a movie lover. Thanks to watching at least one movie with him every week, I developed a keen passion for movies. But since I come from a non-film family, I wanted to first acquire a basic academic qualification. I did MBA and moved to films.
I got in touch with Sithara Entertainments through Editor Navin Nooli. I was glad that they too wanted to remake 'Kappela'. The screenplay choices I made in the first half while remaking that film as 'Butta Bomma' will definitely surprise even the director of the original.
The Telugu audience's tastes are different when it comes to comedy and emotions. Appropriate changes have been made to the original keeping the native tastes in mind.
I was thoroughly impressed by the innocence and depth displayed by Anikha Surendran in the OTT show 'Queen'. That's what made me cast her in the titular character here. Arjun Das and Surya Vasisshta were brought up by the producer himself. We tested them and they satisfied us through auditions. The three actors are extremely talented and they are going to make it big after the film's release. Although Anikha and Arjun Das have acted in other languages, for them, 'Butta Bomma' is a debut outing in Tollywood.
Sweekar Agasthi (of 'Middle Class Melodies') was the first choice to compose all songs. However, we ended up taking only one tune from him. The rest two songs have been done by Gopi Sundar. He has also taken care of the background score. Cinematographer Vamsi Patchipulusu has previously done movies like 'Evaru'.
I am not worried about the comparisons that the audience might draw between 'Kappela' and 'Butta Bomma'. The Malayalam original has barely been watched by people outside urban areas.
I am yet to finalize my second project. If I get a chance, I would like to do a moody action drama.
