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Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Kaantha' casting: Rana Daggubati reveals why Dulquer Salmaan was perfect for lead role
Rana Daggubati recently shared why he chose Dulquer Salmaan to play the lead role in their upcoming film 'Kaantha' instead of taking the role himself. He said the story suited Dulquer perfectly and praised him for being a confident and original actor. About Rana Daggubati During an interview with THR India, actor-producer Rana Daggubati shared why he chose Dulquer Salmaan to play the lead role in their upcoming film 'Kaantha' instead of himself. Rana, known for being very selective with his acting projects, revealed that in his 15-year career, he has done only about 10 to 12 films. He believes every story decides its actor, and he doesn't pick films just for the sake of appearing in them. This shows how serious and thoughtful he is about the projects he chooses to associate with, both as an actor and as a producer. Reason behind choosing Dulquer Salmaan Rana is co-producing 'Kaantha' alongside Dulquer Salmaan. When asked why he didn't play the lead himself, Rana clearly said that the story made him instantly think of Dulquer. He explained that the moment he heard the script, he couldn't imagine anyone else in that role other than Dulquer. Rana even said that if Dulquer hadn't agreed to do the film, they probably wouldn't have made it at all. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Doctors Beg: Take These 4 Ingredients Before Bed to Burn Fat The Healthy Way Learn More Undo This shows the level of confidence and belief he had in Dulquer's ability to carry the film. Rana Daggubati praises Dulquer Salmaan He also praised Dulquer Salmaan for being a secure and grounded actor. Rana said that Dulquer is not someone who follows the typical commercial pattern just to make a film successful. He likes actors who are original and bring a natural presence to their roles, and he believes Dulquer is exactly that kind of actor. According to Rana, Dulquer's secure nature as an actor makes him open to stories that don't rely on mainstream formulas but still have strong emotional and cinematic appeal. About the film 'Kaantha' is a period film set in the 1950s in Madras. It is a Tamil-Telugu bilingual film directed by Selvamani Selvaraj. Along with Dulquer in the lead, the film also stars Rana Daggubati, Bhagyashri Borse, and Samuthirakani in important roles. The movie is being co-produced under Rana's Spirit Media and Dulquer's Wayfarer Films banner. The film promises to deliver a retro, emotional narrative with a fresh cinematic experience.
Hans India
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Priyadarshi's ‘Premante' promises love and laughter, Naga Chaitanya releases FL
Riding high on the success of Court, actor Priyadarshi is all set to charm audiences with his upcoming romantic comedy Premante, backed by a powerful production team including Rana Daggubati, Puskur Ram Mohan Rao, and debut producer Jhanvi Narang. Helmed by first-time director Navaneeth Sriram, the film introduces a fresh blend of talent and storytelling. Joining Priyadarshi in this heartwarming tale is actress Anandhi, known for her emotive roles, and Suma Kanakala, making a noteworthy return to the silver screen in a significant role. The film is produced under the esteemed banner of Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP (SVCLLP), with the blessings of the late Narayan Das Narang, and presented by Spirit Media. Aptly titled Premante with the quirky tagline Thrill-U Prapthirasthu!, the film promises a romantic ride packed with humour and heart. The first-look poster, unveiled by Yuva Samrat Naga Chaitanya, showcases a cozy and charming scene between the lead pair. Seated beside a window, both Darshi and Anandhi sip from mugs, their relaxed postures and soft smiles hinting at the easy chemistry their characters share. Technically, the film boasts an impressive lineup. Adithya Merugu serves as co-producer, while Vishwanath Reddy, recipient of the Gaddar Award for Gaami, handles the cinematography. Music is composed by Leon James, whose chart-topping work in Dragon adds weight to the project. Editing is managed by Raghavendra Thirun, with Aravind Mule on production design, and dialogues penned by Karthik Thupurani and Rajkumar. A motion poster featuring a soothing score by Leon James was also released, setting the tone for a love story with a soul. With 65% of the shoot completed and music rights already snapped up by Saregama, Premante is shaping up to be a promising entertainer that blends emotion, humour, and a strong musical core.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Rana Daggubati: VFX and AI have made scaling up easier, but human stories matter
In 2018, New York-based cardiologist Praveena Paruchuri and writer-director Venkatesh Maha approached producer Sureshbabu and his son, actor-producer Rana Daggubati, with their Telugu indie film Care of Kancharapalem(CoK). Praveena had produced and acted in the film. Sensing its potential, Rana and Sureshbabu came on board to distribute it. Seven years later, Praveena is making her directorial debut with Kothapallilo Okappudu, releasing on July 18. Once again, Rana is backing her work. Chatting at Ramanaidu Studios in Hyderabad, Rana reflects: 'Independent films often get lost in a market dominated by bigger productions. Dad watched CoK and felt it was something I might want to support. It didn't follow the usual rules of commercial cinema, but it was entertaining and full of heart. I was proud to put my name to it, and even more so when it resonated with audiences. It also brought me in touch with Praveena and Maha, whom I wouldn't have met in the regular cinema space.' Rana's relationship with indie cinema goes back further. In 2004, he produced Bommalatta (A Belly Full of Dreams). 'Even though I come from a film family, I didn't know how to get that film to audiences.' Multiplexes hadn't taken off then, and hardly anyone turned up. 'The only money we made was ₹50 lakh from Doordarshan after it won two National Awards,' he says, laughing. The revival Over time, Rana transitioned into acting and shot to fame playing the antagonist in the Baahubali films. Yet, his eye never left the indie film space. He revived Spirit Media, the company he had founded in the early 2000s to focus on animation and visual effects, to champion smaller, heartfelt films. Since then, Spirit Media has backed titles such as Pareshan, 35: Chinna Katha Kaadu, Bapu, 23, and the Telugu version of Charlie 777. Their latest offering is Kothapallilo Okappudu (Once Upon a Time in Kothapalli). In the lead-up to its release, the team has been hosting select preview screenings across cities to build buzz through word of mouth. Praveena recalls being caught up with work in the US during the pandemic, shortly after co-producing her second film, Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya, with Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni. 'I hadn't planned on returning to India in 2022–23,' she says. 'But when Aparna Malladi, who had mentored many filmmakers, including Maha, fell seriously ill, I came to visit her. She has since passed away. During that trip, a friend shared the story that eventually became this film.' Multitask by design Praveena chose to produce, direct, and act in a key role in Kothapallilo Okappudu — not out of ambition, but necessity. 'As a second-generation Indian American with no industry connections, no one was going to call and ask me to make a film,' she says. 'I had to create my own opportunities.' What drew her in was the story, especially the character of Ramakrishna, the protagonist. 'I didn't know who to cast at first. Then, by chance, I met Manoj Chandra in New York and felt he was perfect for the role,' she says. Having worked on CoK, which featured several non-actors, she was inspired by the approach of filmmakers like Mira Nair and Rajnesh Domalpalli, who held acting workshops and worked closely with newcomers. 'I wanted to follow a similar path, in my own way.' Though Praveena and Rana stayed in touch occasionally — she fondly recalls meeting him at Comic Con in the US — it was not until Kothapallilo... was completed that he saw the film. 'It's an honest story about ordinary people,' says Rana. 'It explores belief, a complex subject, but in a way that's simple and open-ended.' What stood out to him most was the response after a test screening. 'Right outside my office, in the corridor, I overheard a few people discussing the film. One person shared a story from his village, another offered a completely different view. They didn't know I was listening, but I was struck by how the film got them thinking.' He was equally intrigued by how a team based in the US — Praveena, Manoj, and cinematographer Petros Antoniadis — could tell a rural Telugu story through a globally fluent visual language. 'They looked at our culture through a fresh lens,' he says. With 2024 seeing a few small-budget films like 35 and Committee Kurrolu succeed at the box office, Rana believes human stories, regardless of scale, can connect with audiences. 'And cinema,' he adds, 'is best experienced on the big screen, without distractions.' Finding the niche Spirit Media recently acquired the Indian distribution rights for Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light, and the experience brought with it fresh insights. 'The film, which features a lot of Malayalam, performed unexpectedly well in the North, particularly Delhi, and even in Karnataka. Surprisingly, it didn't do as well in Kerala,' says Rana. 'With Charlie 777, we still had audiences in the eighth week. What I've come to realise is that there is an audience for every kind of cinema. Rather than obsess over box office numbers, the challenge is finding the right screens and release windows for smaller films.' Rana is proud that films he has backed — like Care of Kancharapalem — 'have aged beautifully.' While his family's banner, Suresh Productions, handles larger commercial releases, he continues to champion indie and experimental cinema through Spirit Media. Having just marked a decade since Baahubali: The Beginning, Rana reflects on how scale has become more accessible. 'With visual effects and AI, scale is now in everyone's hands. What really matters is a good story.' As for the current obsession with box office stats, he is candid: 'Most of those numbers are inflated, it's just a dopamine hit,' he says with a laugh. When asked whether he consciously gravitates towards arthouse cinema, Rana clarifies, 'I'm drawn to films with a distinct voice. I grew up in Film Nagar and it still excites me to see stories and characters that reflect the cultural diversity of India.' Established and new The choice of onboarding an American cinematographer, Petros Antoniadis, Praveena explains, was to capture the rural terrain with a fresh perspective. While composer Mani Sharma brought in the 90s nostalgia to the songs, she chose Varun Unni for the emotionally-stepped background score. Both Praveena and Rana state that its charm lies in presenting newcomers like Manoj and Monika alongside seasoned actors such as Benerjee and Ravindra Vijay. Praveena highlights the dusky Usha Bonella, nicknamed 'andham' (beauty), while Rana points out how an experienced actor like Banerjee realistically portrayed his character and how Ravindra Vijay might become the crowd favourite. 'You will like him because he is so good at being evil. He's like a meme!' Plans are in motion to take the film to international film festivals, but Praveena is firm that it will stay true to its Indian roots —with song and dance intact. 'I don't want to create a separate 'festival cut',' she says. Rana adds, 'Cinema can take us into spaces we least expect. When I watched Sinners, I was blown away. It started as a gangster film but evolved into something entirely different. Kothapallilo… has a similar moment of surprise.'
Hans India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Rana's Spirit Media unveils intriguing trailer of rural drama ‘Kothapallilo Okappudu'
Rana Daggubati's Spirit Media is set to deliver an offbeat rural drama with Kothapallilo Okappudu, directed by actor-turned-filmmaker Praveena Paruchuri. Known for her association with critically acclaimed films like C/O Kancharapalem and Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya, Praveena not only directs but also plays a pivotal role in this film, produced under her banner Paruchuri Vijaya Praveena Arts. The film is all set to hit theatres on July 18. The trailer, unveiled recently, has generated strong buzz with its refreshing take on rural life infused with an unexpected twist. The story revolves around Rama Krishna, who runs a local record dance studio and is deeply in love with Savitri. When she asks to meet him at the haystack, what begins as a hopeful romantic moment quickly turns his life upside down, leading into a narrative laced with suspense and a hint of divine intervention. Written by Gurukiran Bathula, the film weaves together elements of romance, rural life, and mystery with a unique narrative tone. Newcomers Manoj Chandra and Monika T headline the film, delivering honest performances that add freshness to the story. Ravindra Vijay also makes a notable impact in a supporting role. Visually, the film is enriched by Petros Antoniadis' cinematography, capturing the rustic charm of the village setting. The background score by Varun Unni complements the mood, while music by Mani Sharma adds melody to the drama. Kothapallilo Okappudu stands out as a grounded yet intriguing village drama, promising an engaging theatrical experience.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hilarious trailer of Praveena Paruchuri's 'Kothapallilo Okkapudu' released
Picture Credit: X The makers of director Praveena Paruchuri 's upcoming comedy entertainer 'Kothapallilo Okkapudu', featuring actors Manoj Chandra and Monica T in the lead, have now released a hilarious trailer of the film. Presented by Rana Daggubati's Spirit Media, rural comedy 'Kothapallilo Okkapde' has been directed by actress-filmmaker Praveena Paruchuri, best known for having been associated with critically acclaimed films like C/O Kancharapalem and Uma Maheshwara Ugra Rupasya. Paruchuri's Vijaya Praveena Arts is producing the project, the first look and teaser of which have already received a good response. Apart from Manoj Chandra and Monica T, the film will also feature Usha Bonela, Ravindra Vijay, Banerjee, Bongu Satti, Phani and Premsagar in important roles. The recently released trailer gives away the fact that Ramakrishna, the owner of a local record dance studio, is in love with Savitri. One day, Savitri asks him to meet her at the hayloft. Ramakrishna goes with great enthusiasm. But the love story takes a shocking turn here. It throws his life into chaos. From that moment on, a mysterious divine element comes to the fore, bringing with it unexpected twists and turns. Kothapallilo Okkapudu's story has been written by Gurukiran Batula and it brings a unique flavour to the film with unexpected thrilling elements. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Praveena Paruchuri, who has directed the film, has also played a pivotal role in it. Lead pair Manoj Chandra and Monica T bring freshness to their roles. Ravindra Vijay makes his presence felt as Appanna. Cinematographer Petros Antoniadis has beautifully depicted the rural setting. Varun Unni's background music is apt. The songs have been composed by Mani Sharma. The production values are of good quality as befits the genre. Overall, the trailer is intriguing. The film is set to release on July 18 this year.
