The secret to my success is my sincerity, says writer Sai Madhav Burra

He also oozes confidence that the audience will carry home a message apart from getting entertained.

On writing for a faction film

“I enjoyed writing every scene. Each section of the audience expects an element of satisfaction and kick from Balakrishna’s film. Though the actor did faction films earlier, I can still say that this will be different. Each story is different from the rest.

“Take any faction story, the ultimate message is that violence is not good. Every director or writer says that in one’s own style. I did it in my inimitable style,” he points out.

Writer Sai Madhav Burra with actor Balakrishna. (Supplied)

Sai Madhav Burra feels that a writer must write the way people like and want to see.

“Whether it is realistic or defies logic is not important. The underlying point is it should please the people. If people like the content, they will watch any genre; if they don’t like something, they will not watch it irrespective of any embellishments,” he asserts.

He waxes eloquent about Rayalaseema and its people. “It is the birthplace of many Mahanubhavulu (legends). We just see factions there but some people rose to rule the State and the country,” he opines.

“Whenever there is a rise in education, people will automatically drop the weapon. Just not Rayalaseema, violence happens everywhere in the country. I can only say that it made leaders out of people and the film makes no attempt to glorify violence,” he clarifies.

On dialogue writing & schedules

Though the writer doesn’t want to reveal any of the dialogues, Veera Simha Reddy’s promos do reveal quite a bit about them.

“I have not elevated the dialogues because a situation demanded it or underplayed a melodramatic scene. Everything is balanced and in the right proportion. There’s no intention to create a sensation,” he clarifies.

Ongole, get ready to welcome the GOD OF MASSES 💥#VeeraSimhaReddy Grand Pre Release Event on 6th Jan from 6 PM onwards 🔥

Natasimham #NandamuriBalakrishna @megopichand @shrutihaasan @varusarath5 @OfficialViji @MusicThaman @RishiPunjabi5 @SonyMusicSouth pic.twitter.com/22XCS6MYLW

— Mythri Movie Makers (@MythriOfficial) January 3, 2023

One of the top-most writers in the Telugu film industry, how did he find time to upgrade his craft? Does he get writer’s block?

Well, Sai Madhav begins writing the moment he wakes up and there has been no slide in his graph so far. The character in the story helps him in a free flow of words and it happens without any stress or burden of meeting a deadline.

“My writing routine has no fixed schedules. I just keep writing anywhere and everywhere. In breaks, I watch a film – almost every film. The only thing I do is watch a film and write for a film,” he quips.

Association with Balakrishna & directors

Sai Madhav is te dialogue writer for actor Balakrishna’s upcoming film ‘Veera Simha Reddy’. (Supplied)

Sai Madhav Burra is associated with four of Balakrishna’s films: Gautamiputra Satakarni, Kathanayakudu, Mahanayakudu and Veera Simha Reddy. Travelling with the actor is something that he cannot explain in words.

“Balakrishna immensely respects writers and is a transparent man. Any writer would want to work with him, again and again. Aayana maatalu swachham ga, satyam ga untaayi (his words are pure and truthful).”

The writer always has an easy-going relationship with the directors he works for.

In this case, director Gopichand Malineni delivered a super hit: Krack. Meanwhile, Balakrishna is at the top of his career with Akhanda winning accolades. He also turned into an endearing anchor of a talk show in Aha.

So, is there any pressure to deliver another hit? “If there is pressure, the output won’t be impressive. We let the film flow organically but I can say for sure that it will surpass expectations.”

Related: Balakrishna heats up Sankranti race with Veera Simha Reddy

Another USP of Veera Simha Reddy is the track involving Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Balakrishna. They competed with each other in every scene and it is a delight to watch them perform.

Also, every character in the movie, per se, has its importance. For example, Sruthi Hassan shows superb comedy timing.

Waltair Veeraiyya and Veera Simha Reddy are both from the same production house – Mythri Movie Makers. The buzz is that all the films have a “good talk” and we are happy about that.

Just saw #VeeraSimhaReddy trailer 🔥🔥@YouTube
RACHHHHHHAAAAAA RACHHHHAAAAAAAA

6 th JAN fire fire fire 🔥 #JaiBalayya 💥💥

— thaman S (@MusicThaman) January 3, 2023

Responds on rumours

On the flip side, there are adverse comments in the industry that Sai Madhav Burra declines offers from small-budget movies and prefers only big-ticket movies. Also, he takes up too many films and doesn’t attend discussions.

“This is news to me. If this is my mindset, why will I hang on in this industry for such a long time? Why am I being repeated by the same directors and production houses again?” he asks.

He collaborated with Gopichand Malineni and Krish Jagarlamudi a couple of times. “I also worked in small-budget films like Gamanam and Aakasavani. They have been lauded for their content and execution. The directors are new and I took it up willingly.”

“I am from the theatre. Also, my parents are artists and I owe my rise to humble origins. If I sense something is going wrong, I will sense it first and I will correct myself. The secret to my success is my sincerity,” he clarifies.

Also Read: The day my dad praised me was my happiest: Vikram Ravichandran

Sai Madhav lauds and gives credit to director SS Rajamouli for taking India to the world map of cinema and hopes the small-budget films too will soon make a mark.

The writer might have come a long way but he doesn’t forget his film Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum made him a numero uno.

His next films include Shaakuntalam with Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Project K, being directed by Nag Ashwin and starring Prabhas.

There is also Ram Charan-Shankar project and Pawan Kalyan’s Hari Hari Veera Mallu.