Trivikram Srinivas Hails "Mana Cinema First Reel" as a Must-Read

Trivikram Srinivas Hails "Mana Cinema First Reel" as a Must-Read

Celebrated journalist and author Dr. Rentala Jayadeva, recipient of the Nandi Award for best 'Cine Critic' and the man who meticulously unearthed the true release date of the first full-length Telugu talkie 'Bhakta Prahlada,' has penned a new book, "Mana Cinema... First Reel." This compelling work, published by Emesco Publications, encapsulates 25 years of research into the history of South Indian cinema. The book launch event, held at the Boi Vijaya Bharti venue during the Hyderabad Book Fair, was graced by the presence of prominent figures from the film and literary world.

Esteemed director Trivikram Srinivas unveiled the book, presenting the first copy to IRS officer Krishna Koundinya and the second to Emesco co-chairman Vijay Kumar. The event was further enriched by the participation of Mamidi Harikrishna, Director of Telangana Language and Culture Department; Acharya D. Chandrasekhar Reddy, Jayadeva's journalism mentor; renowned poet-critic Afsar; author Kalpana Rentala; director Dasharath; senior journalist Indira Parimi; and others.

In his address, Trivikram Srinivas reminisced about his first encounter with Rentala Jayadeva during his struggling days in Chennai. He expressed admiration for Jayadeva's passionate film writing, which he had followed since Jayadeva's time at India Today. He lauded their enduring friendship, which has stood the test of time and differing opinions.

Trivikram captivated the audience with his insightful review of the book. He drew a parallel between the book's title and the crucial elements of a film – the first reel, interval, and climax. He praised the book's engaging narrative, stating, "This book is as interesting as the first reel of a film... it takes you into the history of cinema within the first ten pages." He confessed his aversion to historical texts, yet acknowledged being completely absorbed by Jayadeva's gripping storytelling.

He further extolled Jayadeva's passion for cinema, stating, "Jayadeva has proved how authentically a person who loves cinema can write a book about cinema." He humorously urged Jayadeva to dedicate more time to writing books before venturing into screenwriting. He emphasized the book's comprehensive exploration of early talkies in South Indian languages, likening its captivating style to a novel.

Trivikram concluded by acknowledging Jayadeva's exceptional qualities as a writer, exceeding the limitations of a mere columnist. He drew a comparison to Jayadeva's father, renowned poet Rentala Gopalakrishna, and sister, author Kalpana Rentala, highlighting the family's literary legacy. He expressed his hope that Jayadeva would continue to enrich the world with more such insightful books.

Emesco co-chairman Vijay Kumar and IRS officer Krishna Koundinya also shared their appreciation for the book, with Koundinya highlighting Jayadeva's groundbreaking research that challenged existing notions about the first Telugu talkie. Acharya D. Chandrasekhar Reddy, Jayadeva's former teacher, praised his enduring innocence, while Mamidi Harikrishna emphasized the book's contribution to understanding the evolution of cinema in South India.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Rentala Jayadeva expressed gratitude to his family, mentors, and Trivikram Srinivas for their support and encouragement. He acknowledged the fulfillment of a long-held promise to his sister and thanked everyone present for their participation.