Naga Shaurya will be next seen in the movie Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammai. Srinivas Avasarala, who is known for his heartwarming films, is directing this rom-com. Malvika Nair is playing the female lead. Produced by People Media Factory in association with Dasari Productions, the film releases on March 17. Ahead of the release, we had a brief interaction with Srinivas Avasarala, and here is the transcript.
How realistic will the film be?
I don’t want my characters to mouth routine dialogues. I generally watch a lot of independent films. The characters in those films will be very realistic. Someone seems to take a camera and starts shooting while the characters keep talking to each other. It looks highly realistic. I felt that I should try those kinds of films. Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammai has a simple story that is closer to people.
What’s new about Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi?
You need to see it on the big screens only. Generally, when Naga Shaurya and I join hands, people think that we are making a film like that of Oohalu Gusagusalade. But Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi won’t look like a scripted film. Instead, it is a realistic attempt to explore human behavior on screens without banking on dialogues, punchlines, and comedy.
Why do you take long gaps in your career?
After Oohalu Gusagusalade in 2014, I started writing Jyo Achyuthananda in 2016. I generally take one year for writing alone. I started Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi in 2019. We faced a few issues while shooting in USA and UK due to Covid. Our team faced visa issues, and hence it took time to complete the shoot.
How is your working experience with Naga Shaurya?
Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi has seven chapters, each of which is 20 minutes long. The lead pair will be seen in different time spans and ages. Naga Shaurya has to work so hard to bring the look of a teenager. However, he also needs to appear as a 28-year-old. The movie was shot beautifully, and Naga Shaurya is very confident about the film’s success.
How did you bring Malvika Nair on board?
I explained every scene to Malvika while I gave the narration. She reacted emotionally, and I noticed a personal connection on her face. Even the liplock scene was already there in the script, and it is not like I have told that on the set. As there was a gap due to Covid, I had to again remind her about that scene. When the actors know the reason behind such scenes and the circumstances that drove it, they will surely go the extra mile to give their best.
What is the film’s genre?
It is a love story. It is a boy-meet-girl story and how the lead pair takes their relationship forward. The gap worked in favor of the film, luckily. It has 7 seven chapters that need variations. Had I shot one after the other, the expected look would have probably been missed. Covid, in one way, helped me. Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi doesn’t have any twists and turns. Instead, it is an emotional love story.
Could you tell us about your future projects?
I have a story that is ready with me but it hasn’t reached the narration stage. I didn’t finalize the actors yet. Nani and I are keen to work together, and we will plan a film soon. Besides, I am also working on a web series named Kanyasulkam, starring Anjali, Naresh, Murali Sharma, and Varsha Bollamma. It will release next month.