Character artist Uday Raj, known for his roles in blockbusters like "Acharya" and "RRR," is stepping into the spotlight as a lead actor with the upcoming film "Madhuram." Directed by Rajesh Chikile and produced by M. Bangarraju under the Sri Venkateswara Entertainment banner, "Madhuram" pairs Uday Raj with Vaishnavee Singh in a tender teenage love story set against the charming backdrop of the 1990s. With its tagline "A Memorable Love," the film is poised to capture hearts when it releases this Friday, April 18th. In a recent conversation, Uday Raj shared his inspiring journey and the heartfelt essence of "Madhuram."
Driven by a lifelong admiration for Megastar Chiranjeevi, Uday Raj's entry into the film industry was a dream nurtured since childhood. He recounts the surreal experience of interacting with his idol during the shoot of "Acharya," a moment that solidified his aspirations. After dedicating twelve years to the industry, working diligently as an assistant in various departments and appearing as a background artist in numerous films, Uday Raj finally found his opportunity to lead in "Madhuram," thanks to the unwavering encouragement of producer Bangarraju.
Speaking about the film's inception, Uday Raj expressed his excitement upon hearing the story from director Rajesh Chikile, a long-time acquaintance. "The film beautifully captures the innocent romance between a tenth-grade girl and a ninth-grade boy in the 90s," he shared. Notably, Uday Raj takes on the challenge of portraying three distinct phases of the same character – as a young child, a school student, and a middle-aged man, necessitating significant physical transformations, including a period of extreme dieting. To ensure authenticity, the team meticulously researched the lifestyle of school children in the 90s, incorporating relatable elements like cycling to school, youthful displays of affection, and the simple charm of village life, all designed to evoke a strong sense of nostalgia in the audience.
The casting journey led them to Vaishnavee Singh, who Uday Raj praised for her fantastic performance, after an initial search for a Telugu-speaking actress didn't yield the desired result. He emphasized that "Madhuram" is fundamentally the love story between the characters Madhu and Ram, brought to life with sensitivity and nuance by director Rajesh Chikile. Uday Raj firmly believes that "the story itself is the hero of this film," and the decision to shoot entirely in real locations was crucial to maintaining authenticity and emotional resonance.
Uday Raj also took the opportunity to express his deep gratitude for the unwavering support he received throughout his journey. "Nothing has come easy for me," he confessed, highlighting the challenges faced even during the making of "Madhuram." He credited producer M. Bangarraju for being his constant pillar of strength, extending confidence not only to him but also to the director, music director Venky Veena, and all the newcomers involved in the project. The positive reception to the teaser, trailer, and songs has been a source of immense encouragement. He specifically thanked music director Venky Veena for his beautiful compositions and actors Vishwak Sen, Nithiin, and VV Vinayak for their support in launching the film's promotional materials, with his meeting and the encouraging words from VV Vinayak being particularly moving.
Concluding his thoughts, Uday Raj expressed his dedication to the craft, stating, "I’m open to playing any role, not just leads. I'm ready to take on even the smallest character roles if it means being part of good cinema."
The Team Behind "Madhuram":
Cast: Uday Raj, Vaishnavee Singh, Bus Stop Koteswara Rao, Kittayya, FM Babai, Divya Sri, Samyu Reddy, Jabardasth Aishwarya, Usha, Appu, Ram, and others.
Cinematography: Manohar Kolli
Music: Venky Veena
Lyrics: Rakhi
Editor: NTR
Producer: M. Bangarraju
Story-Dialogues-Screenplay-Director: Rajesh Chikile
P.R.O: GK Media (Kumar, Ganesh)
