Neelakanta 'Maaya'

I had first conceived ‘Maaya’ in 1996. I just updated it now to suit the present sensibilities – Neelakanta

Success is eluding director Neelakanta. Since nine-long years, the director has not tasted commercial success. His 2003 film ‘Missamma’ was a hit. However, the director is unperturbed and he is pinning his hopes on his forthcoming flick ‘Maaya’. He will be the first in Tollywood to explore the concept of extra sensory perception (ESP).

So how did the director come up with the concept? “I had first conceived this film in 1996. I just updated it now to suit the present sensibilities.” But won’t that have an outdated feel considering the audiences are forever looking for something new? With a smile, he says, “I don’t agree with that! A story can never be old because human relations and drama are always the same. It is the context and scenario that changes based on the current time.”

Neelakanta is known to work on novel and contemporary scripts. But he says that what people want to see can always be different from what the director envisions. “I think in my earlier films, I failed to bring out the audience needs. Also, there are a few elements that are commercial and can fit into such a script and I may have skipped. But with ‘Maaya’ I have been extra careful. I am confident it will connect with all groups of audiences,” he asserts.

“Amongst my works, ‘Chammak Challo’ and ‘Sadaa Mee Sevalo’ were my biggest debacles. Not that my other films were successful, but at least people speak about the other films once in a while,” he says in a retrospection to his journey till date.

When quizzed as to what ‘Maaya’ offers, he answers, “This film has a commercial excitement. I wouldn’t say that I have created a wonder but I will definitely tell you that the film connects with the audience and will be special.”

He adds, “I have always attempted to make realism an important element in my films. And ‘Maaya’ will be the same.” ESP, though new for Telugu cinema, has been explored by directors in the west and has also had its share of considerations in Tamil and Malayalam cinema as well. But, Neelakanta avers that though comparison is inevitable, there is certainly no inspiration.

“Just because it is a new theme people tend to compare. Just like love stories have so many different versions, my film will also be a different take. It’s just the element of ESP that will match. The story that revolves around it is what you should look out for.”