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2nd
August 2005
Your
film Premikulu is releasing day after tomorrow (4th August).
Are you feeling tensed?
No. Not at all! We have been in the film industry over a decade
and know how it works. We do all the groundwork so that there
would not be any problems or tensions in the last minute.
In
the last
interview, you mentioned that you would make an English
film. What happened to that?
That project is still on. That film would go to floors in
the month of October 2005.
What
happened to your film that was supposed to be produced by
Anil on Sri Creations in the supervision of K Raghavendra
Rao?
We had everything ready. But I observed that audience are
refusing films very bluntly even if they were average ones.
Producer did not seem to be happy with the way script turned
out. I also agreed with him as that script did not have anything
exceptional that holds the attention of audience. Why should
I risk producer money by attempting such a script? We decided
to cordially shelve the project.
How
did Premikulu film happen?
I worked on various storylines after the release of Chantigadu
film. I prepared a bound script for a film with dialogue version.
But I kept it aside. Prem Kumar (producer of Aa Naluguru)
was ready to produce that script as film. But I was not sure.
Later on he made Kannada remake of Abhinandana film which
did not do well. Suddenly a story idea stuck me when I was
walking in KBR Park. I narrated it to BA Raju and he was thrilled.
Then we narrated it to the staff and everybody liked it. We
got the confidence to go ahead and launch the film.
How
did you finalize the cast of the film?
I selected heroine kamna Jetmalani an year before the starting
of the film. I decided to cast her as heroine whichever the
film I would be doing. The subject of the film is of city
backdrop (Hyderabad and Vizag). The young guys now a days
have stylish yet delicate look. Hence I wanted to cast somebody
who is not rugged, yet stylish. Yuvaraj is the perfect fit
for that character.
Most
of the directors come up with the tunes instead of music directors.
What is your contribution to Premikulu music?
I always make sure that the songs in my films mingle with
the narration of film. I give the mood, lyrics and tune to
the music director and he prepares BGMs and orchestration.
Madhav has done the first song and title track on his own.
I contributed to the remaining 4 songs.
The
song sung by Bombay Jayasree is good. How did you get her
sing so differently?
She sang all her songs in low pitch so far. She does not do
high pitch because it affects the longevity of her voice.
But somehow I convinced her to do this song in high pitch.
That is why this song sounds very different from the earlier
songs of Bombay Jayasree.
What
is the reason behind taking woman cinematographer Vijaya Sri?
I took her because she is also a woman. She is talented and
did very well for Subbu film. She gave a commendable output
for Premikulu. We used different lighting schemes for this
film by using par lights which are available only with Ramoji
Film City's outdoor unit in Hyderabad.
Your
earlier film Chantigadu was also a love story. How different
is Premikulu from Chantigadu?
In Chantigadu mother sentiment dominated and controlled the
love between the lead pair. But, Premikulu is an out and out
love story from start to finish.
Caption
of Premikulu says 'They don't know each other' and the photographs
show the lead pair together in most of the shots. How is the
title justified?
You would realize it when you watch the film.
When
women achieve sometthing, they would get more publicity and
appreciation compared to men in the same field. Don't you
think you are getting too much of media attention because
you are woman?
No. The media is giving more attention and publicity to my
films because I came from journalistic background. It was
my fellow media people who want me to get more pie in publicity.
In the past, lady directors like Jeevitha, Manjula Naidu and
Suchitra Chandra Bose directed a film each. But none of them
could not succeed. If a lady directors direct a film, audience
have misconception that they make boring flicks. I will have
that disadvantage when my film get released.
Have
you seen the final version of Premikulu?
Yes.
Now
forget that you are the director. Think from journalist point
of view. Write a brief observation/review on this film?
Premikulu is a thrilling entertainer that guarantees you the
value for your money. The film sounds routine/mediocre in
the first 3-4 reels. The tempo starts in the 5th reel and
the interval shocks you. The guessing game begins in the second
half. Climax of the film is beautiful.
Among
the artists, Kamna Jetmalani is extraordinary. Among the technical
departments rerecording by Sajan Madhav and camerawork by
Vijaya Sri are the best.
What
was the target market for Chantigadu and what is it going
to be for Premikulu?
Chanti Gadu is a village based love story. It was a big success
in B and C centers. It was an average flick in A centers.
Premikulu
is a youth based subject and has lot to offer to the urbane
audiences and youth.
What
about the budgets of Chantigadu and Premikulu?
Chantigadu cost us around 1.5 crores including print and publicity
cost. Premikulu is costing around 2 crores with print and
publicity. This film is releasing with 35 prints.
BA
Raju is known for promoting films heavily and making them
hits? Do you have any special promotion for this film?
Every couple has got a few unfulfilled tiny wishes (chinni
aasalu). Those wishes remain unfulfilled for decades.
We would run a contest on Gemini TV in which if the audiences
write those wishes, we would fulfill those wishes for the
lucky winners. We are having this wishes concept because it
is related the storyline and the film.
There
are certain storylines which need 1 and half hour duration
of film to workout. Those kinds of storylines are failing
here because the director had to insert unnecessary scenes
to make it 2 hour plus film. What is your opinion on it?
I do agree with it. But our censor board considers any film
that has atleast 13 reels as feature film. The tax benefits
would be enjoyed by feature films only. If we make a film
with less than 13 reels, then the producer would end up paying
more in terms of entertainment tax. That is the reason why
we do not get shorted films in Telugu commercial releases.
Click
here to read comprehensive interview of Jaya
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