“Not Just a Children’s Film, But a Nostalgic Entertainer for Adults”: Director Srikar Nayan on ‘Summer Holidays’
With a reputation for backing content-driven cinema under his banner Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainments, producer Dheeraj Mogilineni is gearing up to present a heartwarming nostalgic drama titled ‘Summer Holidays’. Directed by debutant Srikar Nayan, the film features Master Rohan, Master Arun, and Baby Khushi in the lead roles, alongside veteran actors Jayasudha, Vasuki Anand, Rajeev Kanakala, and Harsha Vardhan.
As the film heads for a worldwide theatrical release on November 6, director Srikar Nayan opened up in an exclusive interview about his journey into filmmaking, the inspiration behind the story, and why this movie transcends age groups.
From Short Films to a Feature Directorial Debut
Hailing from Visakhapatnam, Srikar Nayan’s passion for filmmaking began during his college days through short films before moving to Hyderabad to work in the direction department for films like Thellavarithe Guruvaram.
After meeting producer Dheeraj Mogilineni through Madhura Sreedhar Reddy, Srikar initially narrated a thriller script. Though Dheeraj liked it, he advised the young director to gain more hands-on production experience first. Later, when Srikar pitched the emotional and rooted concept of Summer Holidays, the producer came on board immediately, streamlining casting, technical prep, and production execution.
Inspired by Village Roots: “A Film for Adults Featuring Children”
Originally titled Summer Friend, the narrative revolves around two children from vastly contrasting backgrounds who bond during their school vacation.
“Most of us cherish memories of visiting our grandparents' villages during summer vacations—playing cricket, eating palm fruit, listening to grandmothers' stories, and making lifelong friends,” Srikar shares. “However, I must clarify: this is not a children’s film; it is a film for adults featuring children. It is a complete, out-and-out entertainer best experienced on the big screen.”
Stellar Ensemble and Behind-the-Scenes Challenges
The film relies heavily on powerful performances from both young talents and seasoned actors:
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Jayasudha & Vasuki: Jayasudha plays Arun’s grandmother in a deeply emotional track designed to bring tears to the audience's eyes. Vasuki, whom Srikar specifically had in mind while writing, anchors key messaging and powerful climax dialogues.
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Master Arun & Master Rohan: Following rigorous workshops, both young leads mastered the authentic Godavari dialect. Notably, during the film's production, Master Arun received news that his other film, 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu, won a National Award, sending waves of celebration across the sets.
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Managing 100 Children: While Arun, Rohan, and Khushi delivered stellar performances, Srikar admits that managing a background cast of nearly 100 children was a logistical marathon—balancing missing kids, playtime schedules, and availability.
Timing the Release: A Breath of Fresh Air Against Action Overload
While acknowledging that a summer release would have been ideal, the team navigated scheduling shifts before locking November 6.
“Audiences have been fed a continuous diet of bloodshed, action, and high-octane violence lately. Summer Holidays offers pleasant, grounding emotions that will leave a gentle smile on your face. We wanted to capture the warmth and emotional depth of Sathyam Sundaram, and we are supremely confident that this Diwali release will win hearts.”
