Director S.J. Shiva describes his upcoming film 'Bakasura Restaurant' as a unique commercial experiment and a new genre. He is confident that the audience will feel the same thrill as they did with classic films like Yamaleela and Ghatotkachudu. The film, which stars comedian Praveen in the lead and Viva Harsha in the title role as Bakasura, is a "hunger comedy entertainer" set to release on August 8th worldwide. Produced by Lakshmaiah Achari and Janardhan Achari under the S.J. Movies banner, the film also features Krishna Bhagawan, Shining Phani, and KGF Garuda Ram in key roles. In a recent interview, director S.J. Shiva shared details about the film and his journey.
A New Genre: Hunger Comedy
"Bakasura Restaurant is a hunger comedy entertainer, a new genre we are introducing in Telugu cinema," says S.J. Shiva. "The story revolves around a foodie ghost. We explore the comedy that ensues when such a ghost enters our lives. The film is a complete package with elements of horror, thriller, comedy, and emotion, all aimed at entertaining the audience."
Praveen and the Film's Unique Casting
When asked about casting comedian Praveen as the hero, Shiva explained, "Initially, we approached other heroes, but they were only interested in solo-hero stories. This script is different. We later learned that Praveen was also planning to be introduced as a hero, so we approached him. The story revolves around five bachelors, and after hearing the script, Praveen immediately said, 'The story is the hero of this film; we must do it.'"
Director's Background and Vision
S.J. Shiva, who holds a degree in International Business Management from London, worked as an assistant director for the film Virupaksha. He revealed that he and his brother became a director and producer, respectively, to fulfill their father's dream. The director stated that he wanted to tell a story that everyone, especially bachelors, can connect with. He also added, "Making a film is very tough. Nowadays, people don't ask about the story; they ask about the budget, the padding cast, and the expected returns. Cinema is about entertainment, but people are asking about everything but that."
Highlights and the Road Ahead
The director believes the film's success is guaranteed by its strong content. He mentioned that the well-known producer Dil Raju's banner, SVC, is distributing the film, which is a testament to its quality. Shiva is confident that despite the film not having big stars, its compelling content and high-quality production values will make it a super hit. "We spent the money that a big hero would take as remuneration on the making of the film, and it shows," he said.
Looking to the future, Shiva expressed his admiration for director Puri Jagannadh's efficient filmmaking style. He aims to make films in the style of legendary director B. Vittalacharya and already has a faction action entertainer script ready. He clarified that while his S.J. Movies banner will continue to produce films, it will only be for new directors, and his next project will be under a different banner. He also confirmed that there would be no 'Bakasura Restaurant: Part 2' as the story and its emotional arc conclude in this film.
