Director Bhaskar Maurya: ‘Muthaya’ was born from my fear

Bhaskar Maurya said, “I was confident that my film takes time to my audience, even if it takes time.” MuthayyaThe film, which will stream on the ETV win from May 1, describes the story of a 70 -year -old man from the rural Telangana with a long -destined dream of watching himself as an actor on the big screen. Call it Sirandipity, but the film’s rather laborious wait, which began his journey in 2022, resonated with the story and tagline of the film to reach his audience, ‘It’s Never Late to Late to Dream Big’.

MuthayyaHeadline by Sudhakar Reddy Balgam Fame was filmed in and around Vanaparthi in Telangana. Produced by Hilif Entertainment and Fictionary Entertainment, the film was shot on a stretch in 15 days, acting in supporting parts by many locals.

Soon after its completion in early 2022, Muthayya The UK premiered at the UK Asian Film Festival in London. It won the best feature film in Indian languages ​​at the Kolkata International Film Festival. Bhaskar received the award for Best Debut Director in Meta Film Fest, Dubai. The producers also won the Best Feature Film Jury Award in the Indic film Utsav.

Seed for Muthayya When the dreams of film production chased in Hyderabad, Bhaskar was spoken, returned home to Venaparthi. “I noticed that people make reel and short films using their mobile phones and upload them on YouTube and social media. They were not trained in filmmaking, but this did not reduce their enthusiasm.”

Bhaskar learned about some original inhabitants who nurtured career dreams in cinema, but never made it, consumed with responsibilities at home. It was thought that Bhaskar can also end like one of them, to bury the dreams of his direction, focusing on it. He did not write the story of making that fear realize someone’s dreams, not age. ,Muthayya Fearing that I can get old without becoming a director. I wanted to make an entertaining film, not the economic cinema. ,

Bhaskar wrote the screenplay, as he did not have resources to pay anyone else. Once the first draft, he narrated the story to friends and used feedback for the screenplay to Finenetune. From a family of teachers, Bhaskar did a screenplay course in Roshan Taneja School of Acting in Hyderabad and a diploma course in direction. “I learned the basics,” he says, “I could not charge other big film schools.”

Armed with Diploma, in 2012-13, he tried to create an inroad in Telugu cinema as an assistant director. Returning to Vanaparthi, he was amazed by the emerging short film culture.

Drawing from his knowledge received in the film school, he started making short films. Bhaskar also collaborated with his friends who were working on independent films, and spent the next three years in learning screenplay writing and script development. “I did not pay enough attention to the writing process in the film school. I realized its importance when I took out on my own.”

Sudhakar Reddy and Arun Raj in a scene in the film. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

When Bhaskar contacted producers with script MuthayyaEven those who liked the story wanted to make it more commercially viable to make it tweet. Bhaskar did not want to dilute the essence of the story. “Finally I found the right manufacturer – Vamsi Karumanchi, Vrinda Prasad and Hemanath Kumar – who gave me 100% creative freedom.” Cinematographer Diwakar Mani, music composer Karthik Rodriguez, Editor Sai Murali and Sound designer Vamsi Priya Rasinni board. Bhaskar says in gratitude, “No one can make such authentic cinema without the right people.”

The actors were selected through auditions. Incidentally, the knowledge of Sudhakar Reddy’s Telugu theater and some of his personality symptoms came in handy for his characterization. “Arun Raj, who was cast as his younger friend, Malli, is a native of a village in Mehbubnagar. His body language and dialogue were suitable for delivery character. We chose Maunika, Poona and others through auditions. We wanted people who would be in sinks with the film’s settings.”

Bhaskar discussed many days with actors and discussed technical aspects with the crew. “Diwakar Mani is one of the best cinematographers and was a boon for our film. We decided to shoot in Vanparthi and nearby villages because it was a familiar area for me.”

After recurrence of one place, the team started making the film Muthayya During the early monsoon in 2021. “We had during the completion of the weather conditions, but it was not inserted. Thanks to rehearsal and good coordination in the crew, we completed the filming in 15 days, as we planned 25 days,” says Bhaskar. Along with the sound engineer, he also ensured that the film region reflects the authenticity of the field, with ambient sounds.

The real Test began after the film was completed. Digital platforms that were open for short films until then started changing their patterns of acquisition. The release of the film hangs in luck balance, and Bhaskar proceeded to work more. “Till then, many people had heard in the film industry Muthayya And there was respect for the team. ,

Bhaskar then directed the web series ShivarpalTelugu adaptation PanchayatFor Amazon Prime Video. Subsequently, he is writing a film that is to be made extensively for the dramatic release.