The rom-com Pelli Choopulu came in as a breath of fresh air for Telugu cinema in 2016 and became a rage, hailed for its relatable urban family drama, relationships and comedy, capped with feel-good music. With it, debut director Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam became a sensation, transitioning from short films to blockbuster feature films. But did you know that prior to its release, Pelli Choopulu was written off by insiders in the Telugu film industry? In this conversation at ITC Kohenur Hyderabad, the director opens up on his journey and shares his insights into the cinema business.
Directors’ Take
This series of interviews shines the spotlight on the newer crop of directors who made their mark in Telugu cinema in recent years. The series is an attempt to discuss how the larger-than-life Telugu films that capture nationwide attention co-exist with refreshing small and medium budget films.
Edited excerpts from the interview:
