Introducing 320 new artistes

Director Laxman Murari is making his directorial debut with ‘Bandhook’ but this isn’t his first tryst with cinema. Having been associated with production of dubbed Tamil films, he says he decided to direct a film because “even though we love our neighbour (referencing Tamil cinema), it’s the mother (Telugu cinema) who we want to stay deeply rooted with”.

But unlike many directors who go for commercial concepts to exhibit their talent, he opted for a rather radical theme. Ask him why, he replies “Frankly, my film is a complete entertainer. It may seem like an art film at the outset but it isn’t so.” Laxman says he chose the title ‘Bandhook’ because the story is told in the perspective of a gun itself.

“I wanted to show that ever since the gun was invented in the 9th century, there never have been greater victories than the non-violent independence movement of India and the non-violent Telangana movement. Both the movements debunked the myth that wars can be won only with the power of a gun and that’s a message I’m delivering with my film,” he says.

While it took nearly seven months to wrap up the film, the most interesting aspect is that everyone associated with it hails from Telangana State. “I felt that since it is a film about Telangana, the spirit of the entire team should be the same and it is only then that the emotion will translate on to screen.

You’ll be surprised to know that we have introduced 320 new artistes through this film,” he confides. Further, he insists that the film makes for a perfect family viewing. “I wanted to make a film that will be loved by everyone and can be watched along with my mother and sister. That’s why I took special care to ensure there’s no vulgarity,” he signs off.