Producer Suresh Varma says despite being a dark thriller, 'Mangalavaaram' has all the emotions required for a commercial potboiler.
Published Nov 14, 2023 | 6:18 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 14, 2023 | 6:18 PM
Producers Swathi Reddy and Suresh Varma. (Supplied)
Swathi Reddy Gunapati, the daughter of popular industrialist and Matrix Labs founder Nimmagadda Prasad, has forayed into film production along with Suresh Varma.
Produced under the banners of Mudra Media Works and A Creative Works, Mangalavaaram features actress Payal Rajput, Nandita Shwetha, Divya Pillai, and Ajmal Ameer in the lead roles.
It is directed by Ajay Bhupathi of RX 100 fame.
As their maiden film, Mangalavaaram is all set to hit screens on 17 November, both the producers addressed the media and shared their experiences in filmmaking.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q. Swathi Reddy Gunapati, you’ve been in the entertainment industry for a long time. Why did it take you so long to foray into film production now?
Swathi Reddy: Probably, I couldn’t get perfect timing than this one. Everything was in place when we sat and charted out, the plan to launch a film project. Film production has been on my mind for a long time.
I was always curious about how people come together to work on a film project. How they make a story out of a single subject — writing a story, keeping complete belief in it, film technicians along with the cast work with so much passion.
Whenever I would meet Suresh Varma garu, I would discuss films and other miscellany of subjects. But my interest in films drove me to work on a full-fledged project.
I am a mother of two, and it happened so magically and slowly everything fell into place.
Q. Why did you choose Mangalavaaram as your maiden film? Have you heard any scripts before?
Suresh Varma: Since the days of RX 100 (2018), its director Ajay Bhupathi kept telling me that he would do a project. So, I often advised my friends and investors to invest in Mangalavaaram.
Finally, one day, Ajay said, “Let’s do it”. It was then that I took Swathi Reddy along to hear the story first. And in a short time, we went to the sets.
You’ll will feel goosebumps throughout the film.
Don’t miss the thrills of#MangalavaaramOnNov17th 🦋#Mangalavaaram @starlingpayal @Nanditasweta @AJANEESHB @MudhraMediaWrks @ACreativeWorks_ #SwathiGunupati #SureshVarmaM @saregamasouth @PulagamOfficial pic.twitter.com/8ajpmjzXsM
— Ajay Bhupathi (@DirAjayBhupathi) November 14, 2023
Q. How was Allu Arjun involved in promoting Mangalavaaram?
Swathi Reddy: Allu Arjun garu has been our family friend.
During a college fest in Bengaluru, my college dean requested me to invite Allu Arjun as the chief guest to the college. If not, I was told I would not be given a hall ticket (laughs).
Then, I checked with my dad Nimmagadda Prasad if he could request Allu Aravind uncle. Fortunately, they agreed and Allu Arjun garu visited our college fest.
Since then, our families have been closer to each other. We also share a good relationship with Allu Arjun’s wife Sneha Reddy. My husband Pranav and Sneha happened to be schoolmates.
It was because of Allu Arjun garu that I felt that I should put my best foot forward and produce a film. He would keep telling me to give it a try.
He suggested that I should give it a try if I had a partner. Luckily, I found Suresh Varma garu to produce Mangalavaaram.
మా జాతరకి పుష్పా వస్తున్నారు 🔥😎
National Award Winner, Icon Star @alluarjun garu is our Chief Guest at #Mangalavaaram Pre-release Event 🤩
Join us on Nov 11th at JRC Conventions, Hyderabad from 6 PM onwards 💥@starlingpayal @AJANEESHB @MudhraMediaWrks @ACreativeWorks_… pic.twitter.com/GvLVSbRg2X
— Ajay Bhupathi (@DirAjayBhupathi) November 9, 2023
A poster of the film ‘Mangalavaaram’. (X)
Q. Why do you choose a script that is content-driven rather than going for a commercial potboiler by casting a star hero?
Swathi Reddy: I felt that it was easy to deal with a small-budget film rather than directly going for a big film. I thought a small film could ease a lot of pressure on me.
I wanted to make a film with the team, and at the same time, give as much importance to the story.
Now, the response that I am getting to Mangalavaaram is overwhelming.
Q. Sometimes it is harder to gauge the outcome of dark thrillers than a typical love story. What made you confident?
Swathi Reddy: I usually watch Telugu comedy films and fewer thrillers.
After listening to Ajay Bhupathi’s script narration, I felt it was the right script to go at it. I liked the way a message is conveyed through the movie.
It has good music, emotions, a message, and everything that audiences want in a film.
Suresh Varma: Despite being a dark thriller, Mangalavaaram has all the emotions that are required for a commercial potboiler.
We didn’t want to make it a regular film like we assumed before. That is one of the reasons for making this film. Every role is so crucial for the story to move forward.
