After Malli Pelli, veteran producer MS Raju once again returned to the director’s chair with the horror thriller Agadha. The movie starring Kamakshi Bhaskarla, Ulka Gupta, and Shravan Reddy releases on August 14. It is produced by Kasi Visalakshi Balusu under the Sri Adi Varaha Productions LLP banner and presented by Ajay KR. Ahead of the release, MS Raju interacted with the media, and here’s the transcript.
What is meant by Agadha?
Once the title was announced, many searched for its meaning online. Agadha can be defined as something profound or a void. We haven’t seen gods or ghosts. The Agadha story is about the battle between those forces. Currently, youth and the masses are driving the openings. Later, with word of mouth, the family audience will flock to theatres. At the pre-release event, Shyam Prasad Reddy garu said that, knowing everything about me, I wouldn’t make another horror film. As he said, Agadha is much more than a horror film. The evil force that works against God is shown as Agadha.
What research did you do for this film?
I traveled to a lot of places and did a lot of research. But that is not required for the audience. I made sure Agadha would appeal to a wide range of audiences instead of approaching it as an art film. I added fantasy to the reality that I know to deliver a cinematic experience. During Devi, I faced many financial hurdles, but a powerful force showed me the way forward. I felt the same even for Agadha. I wanted to make a film on an evil force, keeping this generation in mind. I also wanted to attract the multiplex audience.
You seem to be highly confident in the film’s success?
I never openly said on stage that a film of mine was good. But after watching Agadha, I was satisfied and strongly felt that it would do well at the box office. I said the same thing. I am sure that people will also receive the movie in the same way as I did.
Tell us about the film’s distribution.
Initially, I didn’t want to sell the film to others. But once the trailer dropped, I received many calls for distribution. Hombale Films approached me from Kannada. A few from Geetha Arts and Annapurna Studios have seen the film. I wanted to release the film here first and then in other languages. Dubbing has also been done for other languages.
Will you continue as the director going forward, or will you produce movies?
Lately, I have been focusing on story, screenplay, writing, and making. I am not concentrating on financial matters. For Dirty Hari and Agadha, my friends came forward to produce. Hence, I am only focusing on making rather than money matters.
Is the Agadha 2 story ready?
After Agadha releases, I will tell if it’s a prequel or a sequel. This film has the scope for another installment. Agadha is a mystic divine thriller. It will appeal to all sections of the audience.