In time for elections!

It’s the elections time and making use of the hype and hoopla surrounding the season is the maker of the film ‘Prabhanjanam’. Bhaskar Rao Vendrati who is donning multiple hats in his debut venture – direction, production, screenplay, lyrics – tells us that the film was a “thought process of 25 years”. The movie that talks about how the socio-economic and political scenario in the country has changed post independence, seeks to educate the voters, he tells us. He adds, “The story is a result of experiences from my career, my friends’ career and a lot of incidents that prompted me to think.” Says actor Ajmal, who plays the lead in the film, “This film is the story of a spoilt brat and how he transforms into a responsible citizen. And then he becomes the Chief Minister.” When asked if the character is similar to the one he essays in ‘Rangam’ where he is seen as the CM too, he replies, “No. Not at all! Except for becoming a Chief Minister, nothing is similar. It is a totally different story with a different message.”

However, the director does draw a similarity, “In ‘Rangam’ you see a transformation from good to bad, and in this movie it’s from bad to good.” So don’t they think the movie will be too dry for an audience that loves commercial cinema? “That’s the reason we have made a sugar coated film. A bitter pill will not help in delivering the message,” says Bhaskar Rao. Ajmal echoes him as he says, “It isn’t a totally serious film. We have a few commercial elements as well. For instance I play a lover boy initially.”

The film follows four civil engineering students and how they learn from a few incidents they come across. Interestingly Bhaskar Rao is an engineer from REC Warangal (now NIT Warangal). He tells us that the characters in his films are “building architects that become social architects”. Meanwhile actor Ajmal is very excited about the film and says that “every sequence of the film was special” to him. “I loved shooting for the film. The director was so sure about what he wants to deliver,” he says. So was it a problem for him considering he doesn’t speak Telugu? “No. I am learning the language. I can understand it now but speaking will be easier as time passes!”

‘Prabhanjanam’ also stars Nasser, Kota Srinivasa Rao and Naga Babu in prominent roles. RP Patnaik has scored the music for the film which has lyrics by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry.