Debutant director Anji K Maniputhra is elated that both Jr NTR and Allu Arjun have personally appreciated him for 'AAY', which was released in theatres on August 15 and has since been a commercial hit. Naga Chaitanya appreciated the authentic feel of 'AAY', revals Anji in this interview.
Starring Narne Nithiin, Nayan Sarika, Rajkumar Kasireddy and Ankith Koyya, 'AAY' is produced jointly by Bunny Vasu and Vidya Koppineedi.
I am in a happy space. My parents and friends watched 'AAY' in the towns where they live. Their positive feedback has thrilled me. I am also thrilled with the commercial success. At a time when even big movies are struggling to register success these days, people are coming out to watch 'AAY' in large numbers. As for the range of commercial success, I am not aware of the numbers. Producer Bunny Vasu would be the right person to talk about it.
Cinema halls are buzzing with footfalls because the characters (played by the four lead actors) feel familiar. Some scenes reflect actual experiences of mine, which is why I could bring them out on the big screen realistically. It was presenter Allu Aravind garu's experience and faith in the strengths of 'AAY' that made us put our film in the race for Independence Day.
The film delves into caste-based egos in villages. When you treat a serious and sensitive subject with a touch of humour, it is embraced by the viewer. As it is, I prefer situational comedy to punchy humour. The approach suited 'AAY' perfectly. Since I drew from my life experiences, the writing part was relatively less difficult.
I had approached several heroes with the story. In the end, Nithiin greenlit the project. He is integral to the film's success, especially in terms of his performance. I can’t forget his contribution in making 'AAY' a success story. His approach while listening to the story was commendable. Nayan Sarika performed exceptionally well opposite him.
Everyone is asking me what is next for me. I don’t have a specific genre in mind as of now. I am ready with two stories and will go with the one that is okayed by my next producer. There is a lot of story development pending to be done. I want to do a content-driven subject. Just as I got inspired by 'Jathi Ratnalu' in making 'AAY', I hope others get inspired by my film in scripting their own stories.
Most of the story of 'AAY' takes place in rainy conditions. The weather aspect was a challenge. On sunny days, we couldn't shoot. Delays resulted in obvious budget overshoot. The constant support provided by GA2 Pictures made my experience stress-free.
The climax of 'AAY' is emotionally resonant. The audience are particularly talking about it.
