Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja’s upcoming film Irumudi is set to hit theatres this Friday. Directed by Shiva Nirvana, the emotional family drama stars Priya Bhavani Shankar as the female lead and is produced by Mythri Movie Makers. Ahead of the film’s release, Shiva Nirvana interacted with the media and spoke about the project, Ravi Teja’s character, the Ayyappa Swamy backdrop and more.
Each promotional asset has received a positive response and raised expectations. Will Irumudi live up to them?
The film has three distinct layers — the Ayyappa Swamy Mala backdrop, family drama and crime angle. We designed the promotional campaign around these elements. Through the trailer, we gave audiences a glimpse of what the film is about. I believe viewers are now well prepared for what to expect. Irumudi will definitely live up to the expectations.
What preparation went into presenting Ravi Teja in a completely new manner?
Whenever a fresh concept is explored with a star, its reach naturally becomes much bigger. The Ayyappa Swamy backdrop itself is something new, and having a star like Ravi Teja garu lead such a story gives the film tremendous reach. That combination worked very well for us.
When the first look was released, there were comparisons with Maalikapuram. How did you feel about them?
Only a handful of films in the South have explored the Ayyappa Swamy backdrop. A long time ago, there was a film titled Ayyappa Swamy Mahathyam. We haven’t really seen a star like Ravi Teja garu in this kind of setting before. Since there are very few films in this space, comparisons are bound to happen. I wasn’t particularly concerned about them because I have complete confidence in my content.
Was Ravi Teja always your first choice for the protagonist?
When I initially wrote the script, I wasn’t thinking about any particular actor. Later, I felt Ravi Teja garu would be the perfect fit for the protagonist. His beard and overall appearance suited the character extremely well. He gave me complete freedom while working on the film and never put me under any pressure.
Tell us about Baby Nakshatra.
The character required a strong sense of nativity. She had to look like a child who could naturally belong to our own home. That’s when I came across her Instagram Reels. We conducted a look test and shot two test videos. After seeing the results, we felt she was the perfect choice for the role.
Irumudi looks very different from your previous films. How do you look at this change?
My intention has always been to tell every story in the best possible way. Ninnu Kori and Majili are memorable films for me. Even years after I’m no longer actively working in the industry, I want people to remember and talk about my stories. That kind of intensity is usually associated with love stories. With Irumudi, I felt the story also came together strongly by blending family emotions with crime elements.