I met Mahadev when he was working for the film Vikramarkudu as an assistant to the film's director Rajamouli. I called him when he started the film Mithrudu but later he changed his phone number and I was not able to get to him while he was busy with the film. As the film now gears up for theatrical release, I caught up with him for a brief chitchat, exclusively presented to TeluguCinema.Com visitors:
Sri: How did Mithrudu shape up? What's the censor report like? How do you feel, now that your debut film is completed?
Mahadev: Mithrudu is given U/A certificate with no cuts. The censor report is good too. And, I don't consider that a film is complete until it has reached the audience.
Sri: Following Vikramarkudu, you started going around meeting people for the right break. And, I do know that a couple of projects were almost finalized but were called off for different reasons each time. How did you take it all?
Mahadev: True, it happened a couple of times, but I didn’t let that frustrate me. I always used to think that God might have something else in store for me and not the opportunity that I missed. Frustration is not always good. "Think positive" is my motto...
Sri: What differences do you find in the job of a director now and an assistant director in the past?
Mahadev: Being an assistant to Rajamouli is quite a lucky thing to happen to me. He is one director who treats his assistants as his own brothers! If I ask him "why not like this?" while executing a scene, he always patiently explained why it cannot be done that way with all the reasons, or he'd even take the suggestion if it'd be a better alternative. I learnt a lot in his tutelage. And as a director, I can execute the way I want and the whole responsibility of the movie lies on my shoulders. The main difference is thus in the responsibility that lies on me.
Sri: So, do you give the same importance to your assistants like Rajamouli gave to you in the past?
Mahadev: Absolutely! They discuss everything with me at the time of the shooting and after the shooting too...
Sri: You worked with the later generation of heroes before now, such as Jr. NTR, Raviteja, etc. as an assistant director, but you directed Balakrishna for your debut movie. What was the difference you observed in either case?
Mahadev: To be honest, Balakrishna gaaru is just awesome as an individual! Yeah, working with Raviteja was different from working with Balakrishna gaaru definitely, but he was really a better person than many others I went to. I had only one day to get along with him really. I was very nervous the first day that I had to direct a big star, but there he was, just listening to what I wanted and doing just anything I asked for! That made me very comfortable and I could do my job like I wanted it; later too, he never interfered with my work!
Sri: How did you get the opportunity to direct Mithrudu?
Mahadev: Actually, I didn't even know Krishnaprasad gaaru personally before we did the project. A mutual friend of mine referred him my name and asked me to meet him the next day. When I met him, he informed that he had Balakrishna gaari dates. As he earlier produced Aditya 369 and Vamshaanikokkadu with Balakrishna gaaru, he knew Balakrishna gaaru quite well. He thus asked me to narrate a story which will suit Balakrishna gaaru. I said I'd get back to him in four days with a suitable story...
Sri: Usually, producers go with established directors with a proven track record when producing with stars...
Mahadev: I got a chance to do it because of Rajamouli. As people already knew that I worked with Rajamouli as an assistant, they know that I have the required experience. The credit should thus go to Rajamouli gaaru. I am always thankful to him for that.
Sri: How did you convince Balakrishna then?
Mahadev: In the four days time I asked Krishnaprasad gaaru for, I went to Vijayendraprasad gaaru for a story, as I used to participate in story discussions with them before. He felt happy that I got a chance to work with Balakrishna gaaru. We discussed the plot and developed the story and I went and narrated the same to the producer. He liked the story and took me to Balakrishna gaaru. When I met him the first time, he asked me if one hour and a half would be enough time for me to narrate. I said a half would just be enough and narrated the basic story and the important scenes within that time. He was leaving abroad the very next day, he said he'd get back to me after his return.
Sri: Were you tensed as you waited that long?
Mahadev: Not at all! By then, I was used to waiting, since I narrated stories to various heroes before then.
Sri: Why is it that Rajamouli's assistants - both Karunkumar (who directed Drona with Nithin) and you - went with Priyamani as their debut film heroine? Do you think her bikini would help you too?
Mahadev: (Laughs) Films run on content and not on bikinis. Priyamani is a good actress, a National Award winner at that! She did what her role demanded in that film, and there's nothing more to read between the lines there! It's only a coincidence that we both cast her as our first heroine. We actually tried other heroines too before finally she stepped into Mithrudu.
Sri: How did you prepare for the shoot? Did you prepare storyboard? What about shot division, etc.?
Mahadev: No, I do not believe in all that. When we wrote the screenplay itself, we know where each scene has to be executed and where to stop. So I didn’t have any confusion on these aspects. I needed to just check the schedules and dates combinations while planning the shooting. I am comfortable looking at the scene on paper and know exactly what I am doing. My memory does help me quite there.
Sri: How do you justify the title of the film?
Mahadev: The film is about a friend who forgives even the harm done to his family. Watch the film to know more (laughs).
I wished him all the best for the movie that would be released in a few days and concluded the interview.
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