From IT to cinema: Filmmaker Karumuru Raghuramu brings Maharaja Hostel to life

For some, cinema is a profession, but producer Karumuru Raghuramu says it’s been a lifelong passion for him. From watching James Bond, Clint Eastwood and Spielberg films as a child to producing feature films, his journey has been one of determination and reinvention, he says. Having worked in the IT industry, Raghuramu took the plunge into films, and today, he is producing his Malayalam debut with Maharaja Hostel, a comedy-horror.

“I completed my bachelor’s degree at Osmania University, and in 1997, I took up a job in the IT sector in the US but cinema was always on my mind,” shares Raghuramu. His passion for films led him to the New York Film Academy in 1998, where he completed a short-term course in film production. “I also attended an observation programme at the Universal Studios in Florida. Here I gained both practical and theoretical knowledge about filmmaking.”

Returning to India in 2002, he set up a beta tape studio, transitioning to digital production over time. “I set up the studio because of my love for movies. Along with my friends, I made a few films,” he says.

Now, Raghuramu is stepping into the Malayalam film industry with Maharaja Hostel. The film is being directed by Charu Wakan, with Ashkar Ali as the DoP and Arun Thomas as the composer. “It’s a fun, lighthearted film about three mischievous college students who unknowingly save a village. We will be dubbing the film in Telugu and five other languages,” he shares. Featuring Akhil NRD, Anmaria, Sajin Cherukuzhil, Chitra Nair, Sharath Babu, Akhilsha, and Sandeep SP, the film is shot across Kochi and at forest locales and is set for a May release.

Produced under Madhumitha Productions, Maharaja Hostel is just the beginning for Raghuramu. “I have two more Malayalam projects lined up, after which I will be back to Telugu cinema with bigger-budget films,” he states. His goal? “To build a strong production house focusing on family-friendly, entertaining cinema.”
He adds, “I would like to thank my father K Venkata Swamy, my wife K Srividya, my daughter K Lakshmi Madhumitha, my son KK Siddarth, and also the Gubba family for supporting me.”