Interview with Srikanth “Sri” Appalaraju
Romance films connect everybody
First feature film
Why did you decide to shoot your first feature film at this point? How did you find the support of the studio and get an impressive budget to make the film?
- Well, yes I had my story ready a couple years ago, so I had to find a partner, producer or studio. It was not easy at all, I had to explore a lot, to find the right one. It was definitely challenging, but finally I found the right people.
On the photo:
Producer - S.N. Lakshminarayana, Legendary Singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and Filmmaker Srikanth "Sri" Appalaraju of "The Ant - The Love - and The Girl in between."
Producer - S.N. Lakshminarayana, Legendary Singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and Filmmaker Srikanth "Sri" Appalaraju of "The Ant - The Love - and The Girl in between."
Srikanth “Sri” Appalaraju received an impressive budget for his first feature film: 250,000 USD
Magnum Opus Films
How it all started
Tell us about where your cinema career started. Did you start as an director, or you tried your self as an actor, producer or operator?
Did you start your career in India and then you moved to USA, or you are in USA from very young age?
Did you start your career in India and then you moved to USA, or you are in USA from very young age?
- Yes, you are right, I didn’t immediately start as a director. First of all I was just a viewer, like everybody, then I became a student, and then a few steps later I became, who I’m right now. This is one of good parts of films- everything is open for you to learn. I didn’t work with a lot of people, but I studied in NYC Film Academy, were I just observed some good films and then did my own one.
- Actually, I was born in India, but at young age went and studied here in USA. Later I had an opportunity to shoot a film an India, and I did it. So, I don’t stay at one place, if tomorrow I will have an opportunity to shoot again in India, I will go there.
The Ant - The Love - and The Girl in between!
Winner at: Hollywood Gold Awards, SRFA Cannes, Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival, BIFF (London), Top Indie Film Festival (Tokyo) and Onyko Films Awards (Estonia) for Best Romantic feature film / Best Direction and many more!
First learning lesson
How did the shooting process go? Did you and your crew face any problems during it? If yes, what was the most curious one?
- There was no really big problems, but anyway when you are doing it for the first time- it’s always a learning process. Of course, making short film learned me a lot, but creating a full-length film is much more difficult, because you communicate with so many people, you need be always on time, and of course it’s bigger resources that are putted into the film. So, I learned a lot out of this filming process, but I can not say, that we had really big problems, everything was pretty good.
All by myself
You are also the writer of the story. How long ago did you wrote it and how long did it take you to shoot the film?
Srikanth “Sri” Appalaraju and his film career
The singles include:
1. "The Ant - The Love - and The Girl in between!" (Director debut)
Released: January 6, 2020
1. "The Ant - The Love - and The Girl in between!" (Director debut)
Released: January 6, 2020
- I wrote it a couple of years before. Then it was in my bag for two years, while I was exploring and searching for the best options. So, while I was in search, I changed it a little bit, made some corrections.
The main star of the movie
Our jury was very impressed with acting performance by Amit R. How did you meet him?
- Ah, first of all, Amit was the 50th candidate! So, before him I met 49 other actors, but they all didn’t feet my vision for this role. Finally he walked in and it took me ten minutes to say: “Yes, that’s what I’m looking for!”. He didn’t let me down, he did a really good job!
Amit R and his cinema career
The singles include:
1. "The Ant - The Love - and The Girl in between!" (Acting debut)
Released: January 6, 2020
1. "The Ant - The Love - and The Girl in between!" (Acting debut)
Released: January 6, 2020
"The lead pair, Amith, and Indu look good on the screen. They have sparkling chemistry and that is one of the driving forces of the film. Amith won the Mr. North India - 2016 title and Indu won Miss. Telangana - 2018 title and this speaks a lot about the duo".
— Review from "Social News"
A tough cast
What was the task for all 49 candidates? Why they didn’t deserve a place at your film?
- It was nothing special, I just had a look at their background and gave them a small script to play. I knew exactly what I’m looking for, because I knew the role, so they just didn’t feet it. Amit- was the proper actor for this role in my opinion.
The next step
After finishing the festival run, what’s the next stop for “The Ant - The Love - and The Girl in between!” ? Are you planning to show this film in cinemas?
- Well, this film is available for distribution all over the world and it was already shown in some theatres in India, no all, just a couple of residences. Anyway it’s available for distribution and probably after that it will go to some platforms like “Vimeo”. Actually it’s already available on “Amazon Prime” in USA and UK.
Certificate for "Best Director Award" at Onyko Films Awards (Estonia) in 2021
Romance genre
Love connects people
Why did you chose the “romance” genre for your director debut? Are you planning to stay in this genre with your next works, or you want to try something new?
- Yes, I can say I’m a fan of Romance.
Bollywood
Tell us about cinema in India? We know that you have very specific films. How is it being a new filmmaker in India? Do you get enough of support?
Bajrangi Bhaijaan
A story about a noble man who tries to help a mute Pakistani girl return to her homeland to her family.
Julayi
Ravi is a slacker, lives in Vizag and believes that money can be made quickly, you just need to catch your luck. Once Ravi even challenged his father: he would make a hundred rupees out of ten thousand rupees in just two hours. And he went to bet on a cricket match. But that evening, he was not the only one eager to get rich for free.
Race Gurram
Lucky and Ram are two brothers - absolute opposites to each other. Ram used to live honestly and devoted his life to serving the Motherland, joining the police. And Lucky is a slacker who burns his life and is used to living on everything ready. The brothers' clashes of interest occur daily, and their parents, seriously worried about their enmity, pray that one day they will live in complete harmony, like Rama and Lakshmana from the Ramayana epic. Meanwhile, a bandit named Shiva Reddy, the son of the bloodthirsty politician Paddy Reddy, appears in the state. By chance, Lucky is involved in a showdown with Shiva. Here begins the test of Ram's true brotherly feelings...
- Truly, yes we have very specific type of films, but definitely not all of them. First of all, character is a character and story is a story. That’s why I don’t agree that films that are shown in India must be different then on other countries. But first of all everything depends on the plot of the film, the main characters and script. Yes, some Indian films will be more interesting for local audience, but for example “Titanic” and “James Bond” are successful everywhere, because it’s just a good films and they connect everyone. About being an indie filmmaker in India- it’s not easy. It’s not easy anywhere in the world, actually. It’s a challenge for everyone, because other professions guarantee you at least something. When you are a filmmaker you can make a film for 4 years, but it doesn’t guarantee you anything, if you don’t have a big name. It’s a hard journey.
Inside from Srikanth “Sri” Appalaraju
About your journey then! Maybe you can tell us about your next film? Are you already working on it?
- Yes, I’m pretty ready with next script. It’s a romantic drama, with a little bit of some thrilling elements. And also I’m working with another one, but nothing special to tell right now. I think in a half-year, I will be ready for the next film, but of course we can’t forget about finding the founds, producer and other important things- will be another challenge for me.
First lesson
" Learnt a lot and ready for the next film!"
In the end, are you satisfied with your director debut, or you would change something?
First Row -
1. Arif Lalani - Cinematographer
2. Srikanth “Sri” Appalaraju, Filmmaker
3. S.N.Lakshminarayana, Film Producer
Second Row -
4. Amith, Hero
5. Indu Cherukoori, Heroine
6. Ravi Varma Potedar, Music Composer
7. Hari Shankar, Editor
1. Arif Lalani - Cinematographer
2. Srikanth “Sri” Appalaraju, Filmmaker
3. S.N.Lakshminarayana, Film Producer
Second Row -
4. Amith, Hero
5. Indu Cherukoori, Heroine
6. Ravi Varma Potedar, Music Composer
7. Hari Shankar, Editor
- Sure, I think, I can go back and do it much better, because I learned a lot of things. But, I’m not unhappy. With those resources and limitations, it will be very hard to make it really better. First of all it was a good learning process and I would like to let it be as it is.
