In 2018, New York-based cardiologist Praveena Paruchi and writer-director Venkatesh Maha made producer Suresbabu and his son, actor-maker Rana Daggubati, with his Telugu Indie film. Care of Kancharapalem(Coke). Praveena produced and acted in the film. Given their potential, Rana and Suresbabu came on board to distribute it.
Seven years later, Praveena is starting with her direction Kothapililo OkappuduIt is releasing on 18 July. Once again, Rana is supporting his work.
Rana Daggubati | Photo Credit: Special System/Ashan Giri
Chat at Ramnadu Studios in Hyderabad, Rana reflected: “Independent films often get lost in the market dominated by large productions. Dad watched. çok And felt that this is something I want to support. It did not follow the general rules of commercial cinema, but it was entertaining and full of heart. I was proud to put my name, and even more when it resonated with the audience. It also brought me in contact with Praveena and Maha, from which I did not find in regular cinema space. ,
Rana’s relationship with Indie cinema moves forward. In 2004, he produced Bommalta ,A stomach full of dreams“Even though I come from a film family, I did not know how to get that film to the audience.” Multiplex was not taken then, and hardly anyone happened. He said, “Whatever money we earned, it was ₹ 50 lakh from Doordarshan after winning two National Awards.”
Revival
Over time, Rana infection in acting and shot the opponent for fame to play Bahubali Films. Nevertheless, his eye never left the Indie film space. He revived the Spirit Media, with the company to make small, hearty films champions in the early 2000s, to focus on animation and visual effects. Since then, Spirit Media has supported the titles Parshan, 35: Chinna Katha Kadu, Bapu, 23And Telugu version Charlie 777,
Their latest offer Kothapililo Okappudu ,Once in KothapalliIn the lead-up of its release, the team is hosting selected preview screenings in cities to discuss through the mouth of mouth.
Praveena is being caught with work in America during the epidemic, soon after co-using her second film, Uma Maheshwar Ugra RoopasyaWith Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Davinani. She says, “I did not plan to return to India in 2022-23.” “But when Mahana Malladi, who mentioned many filmmakers including Maha, fell seriously ill, I came to meet him. He has passed away since then. During that journey, a friend shared the story which finally became the film.”
Multitask by design
Praveena Paruchuri | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Praveena chose to produce, direct and work in an important role Kothapililo Okappudu – Not out of ambition, but requirement. She says, “The second generation has no industry connection as an Indian American, no one was going to ask me to call and make a film.” “I had to make my opportunity.”
The story that he attracted was, especially the character of the hero Ramakrishna. She says, “I don’t know who to cast first. Working on çokIn which many non-actors were depicted, she was inspired by filmmakers like Meera Nair and Rajnesh Domallipalli, who organized acting workshops and worked closely with new people. “I wanted to follow a similar path in my way.”
Although Praveena and Rana were sometimes in touch – she remembers to meet her at Comic Con in America – it was not until it was Kothapallilo … It was completed that he watched the film. “This is an honest story about common people,” says Rana. “It discovers belief, a complex theme, but in a way it ends simple and open.”
Whatever was after a test screening was the reaction. “Outside my office, in the corridor, I heard some people discussing the film. One person shared a story from his village, the other offered a completely different view. He did not know that I was listening, but I was killed by how the film was thinking them.”
He was equally surrounded by how a team – Pravena, Manoj, and Cinematographer Petro Antoniadis – a globally fluent visual language could tell a rural Telugu story. “He saw our culture through a fresh lens,” he says.
Watching some small and small films with 2024 35 And Committee Kurolu Successful at the box office, Rana believes that human stories, regardless of the scale, can connect with the audience. “And cinema,” he says, “without any attention, the best experience is done on the big screen.”
Finding a niche
‘Kothpililo Okappudu’ dress artist | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Spirit Media recently acquired Indian distribution rights for Payal Kapadia We all imagine as lightAnd the experience was brought with fresh insight. Rana says, “The film, which has a lot of Malayalam, performed well in the north unexpectedly, especially in Delhi and even in Karnataka. Surprisingly, it did not do it in Kerala.” “with Charlie 777We still had viewers in the eighth week. What I realized is that there is an audience for every kind of cinema. Instead of being obsessed with box office numbers, the challenge is looking for the right screen and releasing windows for small films. ,
Rana is proud that films have supported him – like Care of Kancharapalem – “Beautifully older.” While the banner of his family, Suresh Productions, handles large commercial release, he continues champions Indie and practical cinema through Spirit Media.
Has been marked since a decade Bahubali: The BeginningRana shows how the scale has become more accessible. “With visual effects and AI, the scale is now in everyone’s hands. What actually matters is a good story.” For current passion with box office figures, it is clear: “Most of those numbers are inflated, it is just a dopamine hit,” he says with a laugh.
Asked if he widely moves towards the arthouse cinema, Rana clarified, “I am ready for films with a different voice. I have grown up in the film city and it still encourages me to see stories and characters that reflect India’s cultural diversity.”
Installed and new
An American cinematographer, Petros Antoniadis, explains Praveena, who was to capture the rural area with a new perspective.
While composer Mani Sharma brought for songs in the 90s indifference, he chose Varun Unni for an emotionally phased background score.
Both Praveena and Rana said that its attraction lies in presenting new people like Manoj and Monica with experienced actors like Benerji and Ravindra Vijay. Praveena highlighted the dark Usha Bonella, named ‘Endham’ (beauty), while Rana explains how an experienced actor like Banerjee really depicted her character and how Ravindra Vijay can become a crowd. “You would like him because he is very good in being evil. He is like a meme!”
Plans to take the film to international film festivals are at pace, but Praveena is firm that it will be right for her Indian roots -songs and dances intact. “I want to make a different ‘festival cut”, “she says.
Rana says, “Cinema can take us to places that we expect at least. When I saw SinnersI was blown away. It began as a gangster film, but developed into something completely different. Kothapallilo… Surprise is a similar moment. ,
