Director Anil Ravipudi, the man with a Midas touch for comedy and family entertainers, is all set to set the box office on fire this Sankranti with 'Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu'.
In a recent candid press meet, the director shared his journey of working with two legends—Megastar Chiranjeevi and Victory Venkatesh—and why this film is more than just a comedy.
The "Mega Magic" of the Viral Hook Step
The film's recent song has taken social media by storm, but Anil revealed it almost didn't happen.
-
The Backstory: Originally, a melody was planned for that sequence. However, a sudden rainstorm halted the shoot. Anil took it as a "signal from nature" and decided to swap the melody for a high-energy mass number.
-
The Result: Choreographer Aata Sandeep and composer Bheems Ceciroleo delivered what Anil calls "Mega Magic." The hook step was even coined by lyricist Ramajogayya Sastry.
Bringing Back the 90s Family Genre
Anil noted that while Chiranjeevi has done massive action films recently, fans have missed the wholesome family energy of classics like Annayya or Bavagaru Bagunnara.
"I wanted to take the audience back in a time machine. This film captures that vintage Chiranjeevi charm—his playfulness, his timing, and his emotional depth. Everyone who loves him as an actor and a person will say 'Wow' after watching this."
The Epic Combo: Chiranjeevi & Victory Venkatesh
The highlight of the film is the 20-minute non-stop sequence featuring both superstars.
-
Venky Gowda: Venkatesh plays a mining businessman from Karnataka named Venky Gowda. His character brings a completely different flavor of fun to the story.
-
Selfless Collaboration: Anil praised both stars for their lack of ego. "It’s rare for two solo heroes of this stature to welcome such a collaboration. Their friendship made the 18 days we shot together the most memorable part of my career."
The Hidden Emotional Core
While the promos focus on fun, Anil hinted at a deep emotional layer that hasn't been revealed yet.
-
Relatable Conflict: The film explores how a husband and wife (played by Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara) handle modern-day problems.
-
Heartfelt Moments: Scenes involving the lead pair and children are designed to be the "heart" of the movie, making it a perfect fit for the Sankranti festival.
Anil’s "Producer-First" Philosophy
Anil Ravipudi is known for being a very disciplined director when it comes to finances.
-
Budget Watch: "I care more about the budget than the producers do. I receive a daily expense update on WhatsApp. A producer risks their life’s earnings on a film, and my goal is to ensure they stay safe and happy."
-
Promoting Local Talent: Anil and composer Bheems made a conscious effort to use local singers and technicians, giving them a platform on this massive Pan-India stage.
