Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja’s new film Irumudi is arriving this Friday. The emotional family drama, directed by Shiva Nirvana, features Priya Bhavani Shankar as the female lead. Mythri Movie Makers has bankrolled the film. Ahead of the release, Shiva Nirvana interacted with the media, and here’s the transcript.
Each and every promotional asset clicked well, raising expectations. Will the film live up to them?
There are three layers in the film — Ayyappa Swamy Mala, family drama, and crime angle. We planned the promotions accordingly. With the trailer, we gave a hint of what the film is about. Audiences are well prepared now. Irumudi will live up to expectations.
What preparation did you do to present Ravi Teja in a new manner?
When a new point is explored and a star becomes a part of it, the reach will be on another level. The Ayyappa Swamy backdrop is new, and if a star like Ravi Teja garu headlines it, the reach will be massive.
When the first look was released, there were comparisons with Maalikapuram, right? How did you feel?
Very few films have explored the Ayyappa Swamy backdrop in the South. Long ago, a film called Ayyappa Swamy Mahathyam came. We haven’t had a star like Ravi Teja featuring in such a film. Since there aren’t many films in this space, comparisons are quite common. I didn’t worry about it much because I know my content.
Was Ravi Teja the first choice?
I didn’t think about actors when I wrote the script. But later, I felt Ravi Teja garu would be the right fit. His beard and look have perfectly aligned with the protagonist’s role. He gave me complete freedom and didn’t pressurize me.
Tell us about Baby Nakshatra.
We needed a lot of nativity for this character. She should look like a kid from our home. That’s when I came across her Instagram Reels. We did a look test and shot two test videos. Later, we felt she was the perfect choice.
Irumudi looks very different from your previous works. How do you see this?
I intend to tell every story in the best way. Ninnu Kori and Majili are memorable films. Even when I’m not in the industry, people should talk about my stories. Such intensity is generally found in love stories. The Irumudi story also came out pretty well, blending family and crime elements.