Director Kaushik Pegallapati recently held a press meet to share details about his upcoming film, 'Kishkindhapuri', a mysterious occult thriller starring Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas and Anupama Parameswaran. The film, produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner, is set to release on September 12.
On the Genesis of the Project: "After my first film, 'Chaavu Kaburu Challaga,' I was supposed to do another film with Geetha Arts, but it was delayed for various reasons. I narrated this story to producer Sahu Garapati, and he loved it. Later, Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas also heard the script and was very excited. With everyone on board, we started the project."
On Choosing the Horror Genre: "I love the horror genre, and it has a separate fan base. I have always wanted to make a film that would appeal to horror fans. 'Kishkindhapuri' is a blend of horror and mystery, with a lot of 'edge-of-the-seat' thrilling elements. I wanted to give audiences a different experience with this film. Just like my first film, which had a unique theme, this film will also offer a new experience within the horror genre. We are conveying a very important message with this film."
On Sai Sreenivas's Reaction: "Sai Sreenivas loved the story. He is known as an action hero, a 'hulk' hero, but he asked me to make the film exactly as I had narrated it. We were able to bring our vision to life on screen. Sai Sreenivas supported me from the beginning, wanting to give the audience a great experience in terms of story, visuals, and technical aspects."
On the Title 'Kishkindhapuri': "The title 'Kishkindhapuri' reminds us of the Ramayana. The film's story is inspired by the Ramayana, but the inspiration is very metaphorical. Those who can decode the film will find many references from the Ramayana."
On Anupama's Character: "Anupama has done a character she has never done before. The characters of the hero and heroine are inspired by a real-life incident I witnessed. Both of them will be seen in new avatars. The entire film takes place in an unknown location, so we have chosen characters who are quite peculiar."
On Production Design: "The story revolves around a radio station. We needed it to be massive. Also, since the story begins in 1989, we created a vintage vibe for the setting. The locations in the film are also very different. The film moves at a fast pace, and there is a lot of action in the story."
On Sahu Garapati's Support: "From the moment he heard the story, Sahu Garapati provided us with everything we needed. He did not compromise on anything required for the film."
On the Censor Report: "The censor board members said that they watched a good horror mystery film after a long time. Some sequences scared them, and they felt that if they were scared, children would be too, so they gave it an 'A' certificate. The film has no smoking or drinking scenes, and it's a clean film that can be watched with family."
On Music: "Composer Chethan has done an amazing job. The three songs are fantastic, and the background score takes the film to the next level."
On 'Kishkindhapuri' Meeting Expectations: "The 'Rakshasudu' combination of Sai and Anupama was a huge hit. We are confident about this film as well. We believe we have made a sensible and good film, and we are happy with the outcome. The technical aspects are top-notch, and the graphics have turned out to be excellent."
On Upcoming Projects: "I have two stories ready, and discussions are currently underway. We will announce more details after the film's release."
