For me a film is over as soon as I complete the script

As soon as Mahesh gave his consent to the project, he said he wants to produce it in a very professional way on MB Entertainment but later Mythri expressed their interest in the project

-Koratala Siva

Filmmaker Koratala Siva is in a happy space. His long-awaited project – ‘Srimanthudu’– with superstar Mahesh Babu will be opening in cinema halls on August 7. In a conversation with Hans Talkies, the writer-turned-director remembers the way Mahesh reacted to the script when it was narrated to him nearly 18 months ago.

“I was a bundle of nerves when I met him because the script was not the regular commercial one. Since it was mounted on a grand canvas, I gave him a two-and-a-half hour narration. His first reaction was, ‘Intha kotha kathani commercial ga cheppocha.’ His only advice to me was to film what I told him,” he recalls.

Staying true to the title, the film narrates the tale of a wealthy man. “When I was in school I read about NRI’s donating money and constructing hospitals for their villages. Somehow those stories stayed with me. Moreover, the concept of giving back to the society – by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates – inspired me.

I felt real heroism lay there and wanted to pen something on it (giving back to the society) in a cinematic way,” he states. Courtesy Siva’s special interest, Mahesh’s style statement from the film has caught the attention of many.

“I like my central character to look trendy and modern. Even if he comes from a middle-class background, I ensure that he looks chic,” he reveals. “With Mahesh, even if he sports the simplest of a shirt, it looks trendy on him. He knows how to carry his clothes.”

Admittedly, it was a delight collaborating with the actor. “He never goes beyond the boundaries of his character. Even if you insist that if he speaks a particular dialogue in a firm voice – for the whistles of his fans – he doesn’t,” smiles Siva, adding that he is the “epitome of dedication.”

Siva strongly believes that filmmaking is a collaborative effort. “If my cameraman heeds to whatever I say, I don’t sign him. I want him to give his inputs. As soon as I narrate the script to him, he should brief me the lighting scheme.

Since I would be more into interacting with actors for the right emotion, he should be ready with the camera angles before I reach out to him. I want my technicians to travel with my script and give their own inputs.”

With ‘Srimanthudu’ riding high on expectations, Siva is not edgy. “In fact, during ‘Mirchi’ itself I was not nervous. The producers – Vamsi and Pramod – were my buddies and Prabhas addresses everyone as darling. For me a film is over as soon as I wrap up the script. I get nervous only while writing.

Since I began as a writer, I hardly get satisfied with what I write.” He continues after a pause, “I believe in not putting a foot wrong during scripting itself. I exchanged ‘Srimanthudu’ script with ten of my close friends and took their observations. I check my drafts ten times before I take it to an actor.”

Siva confides that Mahesh wanted to produce the flick on his own before Mythri Movie Makers entered the scene. “As soon as he gave his consent to the project, he said he wants to produce it in a very professional way on his banner MB Entertainment but later Mythri expressed their interest in the project,” he reveals.

While his next might see another biggie, the details of which he failed to give, Siva is game for experiments. “I like experimenting. In fact, I want to do a film like ‘Seethakoka Chiluka’ with newcomers but there’s a lot of time for it,” signs off Siva, who is not keen on remaking ‘Srimanthudu’ in Bollywood even if it sets the cash registers ringing down South.

By Nagaraj Goud