'Hello World', starring Aryan Rajesh and Sadaa, was released recently and has been receiving a positive response from the viewers. Director Sivasai Vardhan Jaladhanki is just a brilliantly-crafted, beautiful coming-of-age story that leaves you completely overwhelmed by the time you complete watching it. We caught up with Sivasai Vardhan for a quick chat about the film and to find out what's next in his career.
Excerpts from a conversation: The response to 'Hello World' has been outstanding. Did you expect it while making the film? The feedback is absolutely overwhelming and wholeheartedly positive, and I am as always quietly confident about what we have created.
How did your journey begin in the industry? I was born and raised in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. After finishing my B Tech, I started working as a lecturer in an engineering college in Hyderabad. I relocated to Bengaluru when I got a techie job in an MNC. But my thirst for movies was not quenched. Then, I shifted my base to Hyderabad again with an interest in films. My friend and I got an idea for a story and started developing it to make a web series called Geetha Subramanyam, which was a big hit. When I was staying in Bengaluru, I made an Independent film which also received a good response.
After quitting your job, did you face any difficulties to become a film director?
I’ve faced a lot of difficulties when I quit my job to make my dreams come true. Even the world suffered a lot because of the Coronavirus pandemic. When I signed a web series with an OTT, I quit my job with extreme confidence. But due to the pandemic, the project had been put on hold, and my situation was turned upside down. Luckily, my wife was there to manage the funds and expenses as she is a working lady. In fact, she is my financial stability.
What would you suggest to the aspiring directors? I think I am not at a stage to tell them what to do and what not to do. Most people expect it to be a cakewalk for entering in the industry. It’s not that easy. When I was making a web series for the first time, nobody believed us. What I can say is, that you have to believe in your vision. And you should respect the audience. Films should be enjoyed while keeping the audience in mind.
What do you know about the ongoing producers’ strike? We have raised expenses so we must reduce them. I have nothing else to say.
What is your take on the Bollywood VS South films debate?
Audiences from any region will get monotony at times. That's what happens in Bollywood now. I feel that the South has not been given much importance by the northern filmmakers since the beginning. We have beautiful storytellers in our industry. The Hindi film industry is quite different from earlier. It became commercial now, in terms of stories and budget. I think they are not making films keeping the audience's taste in mind. As I said, we should respect our audience, but I feel that is not happening in Bollywood.
Have you signed any new films? I haven’t signed any films yet. But I have been approached by a couple of well-known production banners. I narrated a storyline to them, and they just loved it. I don’t know when the project will materialize. The complete details of my next project will be revealed once I sign the dotted line. Meanwhile, we’re gearing up for the next season of Geetha Subramanyam, which will go on floors soon. The shoot will be wrapped up by the end of October and will start working on my feature film directorial debut.
Take a look at Vijay Deverakonda's fee per film, income sources and his net worth
Take a look at Vijay Deverakonda's fee per film, income sources and his net worth