Sukumar: "I'm Awed by My Daughter Sukriti's Performance in 'Gandhi Tatha Chettu'"
Gandhi Tatha Chettu, a heartwarming tale starring Sukumar Bandreddi's daughter, Sukriti Veni Bandreddi, is set to grace theaters on January 24th. Directed by Padmavati Malladi, the film is a collaborative effort of Mythri Movie Makers, Sukumar Writings, and Gopi Talkies, presented by Tabitha Sukumar and jointly produced by Naveen Yerneni, Yalamanchili Ravishankar, and Shesha Sindhu Rao.
At a recent media interaction in Hyderabad, the film's team, including Sukumar, shared their experiences and excitement for the upcoming release.
A Father's Surprise and a Director's Discernment
Sukumar candidly revealed his initial skepticism about his daughter's acting abilities: "Sukriti has always been fond of singing, starting in ninth grade. Seeing her playful nature at home, I didn't quite believe she had the range for acting. Initially, I was hesitant to let her act in this film. When Gandhi Tatha Chettu came her way, I had my doubts. But Padmavati insisted, so I agreed to let Sukriti listen to the narration. When I saw the first clip of her performance, I was pleasantly surprised."
He further elaborated on his high expectations for actors: "I expect exceptional acting abilities from the artists in my films. I spend months finalizing the cast. For Rangasthalam and Pushpa, the casting process took 8-9 months. I seek versatility in my actors. Sukriti surprised even someone like me, with my discerning eye. I'm incredibly proud of her performance."
Sukumar also praised the dedication of producer Sindhu Rao and the director's storytelling prowess: "Producer Sindhu Rao worked tirelessly to bring this film to fruition. Director Padmavati's narration was so captivating that I was completely engrossed. I've always believed that a compelling narration translates to a well-executed film. When I narrated the script of Arya to Chiranjeevi garu, Allu Aravind garu questioned whether someone with my limited experience could handle the project. Chiranjeevi garu assured him that I would direct it effectively because my narration was so convincing."
A Message of Entertainment and a Touch of Jealousy
Sukumar expressed his admiration for Padmavati Malladi and the film's message: "Padmavati will undoubtedly achieve great things. I'm grateful to her for casting my daughter; I'm indebted to her. Lavanya, who plays Sukriti's mother in the film, delivered a wonderful performance. On a lighter note, it was a bit surreal to see my daughter addressing someone else as her parent (laughs). Entertainment is my primary message. Before entering the film industry, when I used to write poetry, I was quite sensitive. When I was new to the industry, someone remarked that commercial films weren't suited for me. My guru, however, inspired me to embrace the concept of entertaining others. He said that anything involving investment is a business, and filmmaking is no different. I took that to heart and made it my mission to entertain and bring joy to audiences. If entertainment can be combined with a message, it's a bonus. That's why I'm a bit envious of the team behind Gandhi Tatha Chettu. I hope this film becomes a 100 crore hit! The trailer is so evocative and natural. This film deserves success, not just for Sukriti, but for Sindhu and Padmavati."
A Mother's Pride and a Producer's Vision
Tabitha Sukumar, Sukriti's mother and the film's presenter, shared her initial apprehension and eventual pride: "I wasn't confident about Sukriti's acting skills at first. It was the director who truly believed in her. I'm grateful to Mythri Movie Makers and my husband for bringing this film to the audience. The positive reception at film festivals made me yearn for a theatrical release, and I'm thrilled that it's happening. I urge the audience to support Gandhi Tatha Chettu."
A Collaborative Triumph
Gandhi Tatha Chettu is a testament to the power of collaboration, bringing together a talented cast and crew to tell a heartwarming story. The film has already garnered accolades at international film festivals, including a Best Child Artist award for Sukriti Veni. With its powerful message and Sukriti's promising debut, Gandhi Tatha Chettu is poised to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression.
