Starring Sree Vishnu and Reba Monica, the film revolves around marriage and is relatable to everyone.
Director Ram Abbaraju. (Supplied)
Ram Abbaraju is neck-deep in promotions of his upcoming movie Samajavaragamana (Walking with a Giant of an Elephant). It is hitting the marquee on 29 June.
Sree Vishnu and Reba Monica John are playing the lead roles.
The team has considered many titles, but they found Samajavaragamana apt. Director Ram Abbaraju elaborates, “The word is given to explain how an elephant in Lord Indra’s court walks. In this current context, it means a roller coaster ride or something that alludes to music.”
He also explains how few words take different meanings: “In NTR’s Aadi (2002), there is a popular line — ‘Antha Assam‘ (all is gone). It became so popular that if a team loses an IPL match, people say ‘Antha Assam‘.”
Ram Abbaraju’s debut project Vivaha Bhojanam (Wedding Feast, 2021) was made for the OTT platform. The idea came from a true event that happened during a lockdown.
The response was positive and the director says he achieved what was aimed at.
“During the lockdown, people were glued to the OTT platforms. There was so much adult content available, including thrillers and horror movies. I aimed at a family audience.”
Ram Abbaraju’s ‘Samajavaragamana’. (Ram Abbaraju/ Twitter)
Director Ram Abbaraju and his writer identified a problem and developed it into a concept — Samajavaragamana. The story revolves around marriage and is relatable to everyone.
“Almost seven-eight people in a group of 10 will easily connect to the problem shown in the movie. Well, I can’t reveal much right now,” he quips.
“Our hero works at a box office, like Inox. He is a manager, sells tickets and maintains his house. He is traditional and you’ll enjoy watching him get into a new-age problem. It is a situational comedy.”
Sree Vishnu inherently has a funny bone and Reba Monica apparently did a great job.
Cinematography by Ram Reddy of RX100 (2018) fame added value to the project. Gopi Sundar scored the music.
Director Ram Abbaraju on the sets. (Supplied)
When asked if filmmaking these days is all about dates, artist combinations and budget with little or no focus on the story, Ram Abbaraju clarifies, “Not true. Even if we narrate a small story and shoot it, there should be someone to buy it right? Even OTTs are also watching the films and buying them. There is a huge competition on the writing side.”
He points out that heroes want to deliver a hit. “There has been so much exposure during lockdown and heroes want to do a subject that suits them and fits in their market.”
It is a dream for every director to showcase his film in the theatre. Ram Abbaraju grew up enjoying films on the big screen.
This generation might like OTT, but of late, people want to visit the theatres.
“Our basic concept of entertainment is movies. Well, you won’t keep visiting a restaurant every weekend, right,” the director questions.
Ram Abbaraju (Supplied)
Ram Abbaraju has earlier worked with director Gunashekar and is skilled at handling multiple artists like Gunashekar.
“I am from Hyderabad. My father encouraged me to watch films. He was a movie buff. As we lived closer to the RTC Crossroads, we got to watch umpteen films every other week. So, it was natural for me to develop an interest and I took up films as a career after academics,” he recalls.
Ram recently got married and is bee keen on settling down only after becoming a director.
“I decided to marry now that my first theatrical film is coming out. The film is jointly produced by AK Entertainments and Hasya Movies,” he signs off.
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