GA2 Pictures and director Anji K Maniputhra are in a happy space. Their movie, 'AAY', is doing extremely well at the box office. A slapstick comedy-drama set in a conservative village near Amalapuram, the film's characters were crafted to feel natural.
In his latest interview, director Bunny Vasu said that the film's storytelling is slice-of-life. "We usually equate only Malayalam cinema with realistic storytelling. I wondered why we couldn’t do the same here in Telugu. 'AAY' is an attempt towards that," the GA2 Pictures supremo says.
It was a conscious effort to go beyond offering entertainment to elicit laughs. "We aimed to add a touch of class to enhance the story. Rains were incorporated for the same reason. However, the staging required shooting in foggy conditions. If the sun was too bright, we cancelled the shoot for the day," the producer says.
Yesteryear hero Vinod Kumar has a worthy role in the movie. "Before zeroing in on him, we considered other artists. If new actors were introduced, they might not connect well with the audience. Established artists come with baggage. We needed someone who would resonate with the character. Vinod Kumar proved to be the best fit," Bunny Vasu adds.
"If a genre resonates with the audience, it typically performs well in the first one or two weeks. Adding an emotional touch was driven by the intention to make a film that lasts longer. This emotional drama is why the film is connecting with a wider audience," Bunny says.
'AAY' stars Narne Nithiin and Nayan Sarika as lovers. Rajkumar Kasireddy, Ankith Koyya, Mime Gopi and Vinod Kumar have key roles. GA2 Pictures' movie will stream on Netflix after its theatrical run.
