My new year truly begins under the Sankranti sky: Ram Pothineni

For Ram Pothineni, Sankranti is not just a date on the calendar — it’s a feeling. It’s the flutterof kites against Hyderabad’s winter sky, the chatter of cousins on terrace rooftops, and the ritual of catching a movie with family.The festival also represents a cherished personal milestone: His debut film Devadasu released during Sankranti, two decades ago. After completing 20 years in cinema, Ram revisits the memories that bind him to the festival: of beginnings, belonging, and big-screen dreams.‘Sankranti meant spending the whole day on the terrace with my cousins’My earliest and most cherished memory of Sankranti is of kite-filled skies. Growing up in Hyderabad, the festival was synonymous with large family gatherings. With cousins scattered across different parts of the city, Sankranti became the one time everyone made it a point to come together. We would spend entire days on the terrace, flying kites, laughing, and soaking in the festive spirit. For me, Sankranti has always been a celebration of togetherness marked by kites, family, and, of course, movies.‘Watching my debut during Sankranti changed everything’Sankranti is especially close to my heart because my debut film, Devadasu, released during the festival in 2006. Completing 20 years in the industry, this Sankranti made the occasion truly special. I still remember being an 18-year-old in the theatre, watching myself on screen for the very first time. I was unexpectedly calm, with my entire family around me and my mother sitting beside me. But the moment the production banner music began, she clutched my hand tightly, and that’s when the nerves finally kicked in. I told her, “It’s okay, let me enjoy this.” Realising that two decades have passed since that moment feels almost surreal.‘Sankranti still feels like a fresh start’Flying kites has always been my favourite part of Sankranti. It’s such a simple, joyful outdoor activity. Over the years, life has changed. My cousins are married, some have kids, and coordinating celebrations is trickier. Yet, Sankranti still serves as the perfect reason for us to come together. It feels like the fresh start of the year, and that’s what makes it so special to me.‘Watching movies during Sankranti is almost ceremonial’In our families, watching a movie during Sankranti is a ritual. Telugu cinema and the festival go hand in hand, with Sankranti releases forming a cultural tradition. Every year, we would step into theatres together, making it a shared festive experience. Sankranti audiences have been particularly kind to me. I’ve had three releases during the festival — Devadasu (January 11, 2006), Maska (January 14, 2009), and Red (January 14, 2021) — and all of them did well. Considering my first film was also a Sankranti release, the festival has always brought me good memories. Sankranti audiences have given me a lot of love.Quote:“I have a huge sweet tooth and love everything that comes with festivals. But if I had to pick one favourite, it would be poornalu. It has the perfect balance of sweetness and is something we make at home all the time”