Hyderabad
March 27, 2009

Director Eeswar Reddy got good acclaim for his work in award winning Mee Sreyobhilashi film. His next film Manorama featuring Charmme is releasing on 27 March. Eeswar Reddy took the print to Srisailam on 26 March to perform pooja and returned back. Idlebrain.com had an exclusive chitchat with the director just a day before the release. Here are the excerpts -

Background:
I am born in Reddyvari Jambuladinne (Kurnool district). I came to Hyderabad to join films in 1991. I wanted to study how it works. Hence I joined as a junior artist and worked for films like President gari pellam, Rakshana and Srinadha Kavi Sarvabhowma (NTR). Then I went to Kotla Surya Prakash Reddy for recommendation in films. He referred me to his brother-in-law Shyam Prasad Reddy. He got me the work of an assistant cameraman in Anand Cine Services. I was not happy with it and went back to Shyam Prasad Reddy in 3 days asking him to get me a job in direction department. I joined as an assistant director for Anna Chellellu (Ramesh Babu and Soundarya) which is being produced by Padmalaya Studios. After that I joined Shyam Prasad Reddy for Ammoru film. He already shot one version and burnt it as he didn’t like it. He was re-doing the entire film again. I joined Suresh Productions with Super Police film and worked there for 10 years. My last film with Suresh Productions was Vijayam.

I went to met CC Reddy in 2003. He liked me and made me do the campaign material for congress for YSR. I executed some of campaigns of congress. He liked my work and promised me a direction chance. We started Mee Sreyobhilashi shoot in December 2006 and it was stalled because CC Reddy’s earlier film Roommates was a disaster at box office. I approached Usha Kiron Movies with the same subject and they agreed to produce the film. Meanwhile Ramoji Rao got entangled with Margadarsi controversy and this project was put on backburner. CC Reddy called me again started the project in 2007. Mee Sreyobhilashi got released on 28 December 2007 and won lots of appreciation. It won 14 awards including Nandi and Indian Panorama. I got immense satisfaction for making a good film.

Is Mee Sreyoshilashi (jeevi review) inspired by a Japanese film Ikinai (plot summery here)?
No. Lots of people said that the story lines are similar. I never watched that film so far.

Tell us about Manorama?
Manorama is not the name of Charmme in this film, but the name of a hotel around which this story revolves. Charmme is doing the role of Geetanjali (Gilli) in this film. Manorama story takes place in 12 hours from sunrise to sunset. This film shows that one can achieve anything with universal love. It is a romantic thriller. Manorama is a feel good film and it will haunt even after you come out of theater. Entire family can watch this film together and they can enjoy. Charmme possess a special skill of lip-reading in this film. And we have an animated 500 rupees note that talks. Zee Motion Pictures erected two sets (Koti street and a hotel) worth 40 lacs.

Manorama film was shot in 52 working days and Zee Motion Pictures spent around 2.5 crores (excluding print and publicity) for this film. The runtime of Manorama is 2 hour and 12 minutes.

What is your gut feel on Manorama?
Good films will always be encouraged and I am sure that Manorama will be a commercial hit because it is a good film.

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