'Sita Ramam' director Hanu Raghavapudi: The film is close to my heart and will also decide the fate of my Bollywood film with Sunny Deol and Nawazuddin Siddiqui - Exclusive

Hanu Raghavapudi made his directional debut with Lavanya Tripathi and Rahul Ravindran’s ‘Andala Rakshasi’ under the production of SS. Rajamouli. Then he went on to direct films such as ‘Krishna Gadi Veera Prema Gaadha' with Nani, ‘Lie’ with Nithiin, and ‘Padi Padi Leche Manasu’ with Sharwanand. However, after over a decade of being active in the industry, the director could direct only five films so far (Including this) and now he is coming up with a Pan-south film titled ‘Sita Ramam’ starring Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur in the lead roles.
The film also has Rashmika Mandanna playing 'Afreen' a crucial character and also acts as a narrator of the film. The film has another bunch of actors such as Sumanth, Tharun Bhascker, Gautham Vasudev Menon and Bhumika Chawla playing other important roles in the film. ETimes Telugu approached the talented director to talk about his ambitious venture ‘Sita Ramam’, and other details. Below are the experts from the conversation.
It's been a decade ever since you made your filmmaking debut how will you sum up your journey?
I did fewer movies, as my success rate is low. When I made my first movie, I had fewer resources, but I should say it was the most comfortable film I have ever made and it was my pure let out. Initially, it was not very well received but later it got cult status. Then I had to go through a tough phase until I got the ‘Krishna Gad Veera Prema Gaadha’ with Nani.
How tough was it for you to get a film post the failure of your films?
I don't think you'll get films only if you give hits or you don't get movies if you deliver flops. If you know the craft properly and if the actors and producers trust your filmmaking ability automatically you'll get the films. The only thing is that the industry should believe that you are a good craftsman.

why was there a huge gap between each film of yours?
The gap is inevitable after your film's result is out, then I had to realise why my film didn't work, and it takes time to come up with a new script. Also, I was supposed to do a film with Rana Daggubati that didn't materialize. Then I met Nani with one more script and narrated 'Krishna Gadi Veera Prema Gadha to him and it happened. I don't necessarily take time. Also, I'm a bit slow filmmaker so, the gap happened automatically. There was this gap only between my first film and the 2nd one, the rest everything happened in time, of course, there was this covid period which has taken everyone's 2 years.
Have you ever introspected the success and failures of your films and did you find the mistakes that you are committing in the filmmaking process and the reasons for films that work/didn't work?
Yeah, I felt I could have narrated it in a better manner with the proper screenplay, I felt that was the reason for 'Padi Padi Leche Manasu' not working. I also thought that heroine's amnesia point is a big point to work with the audience but that bounced back my expectations and it has become a confusing drama. In Filmmaking every day is a learning process.
How did you overcome those flaws in 'Sita Ramam'?
In this film, I overcome some of the flaws and also it is a very special film for me because, when you think of watching a new film, it should have some excitement. This film has that, be it in the story that is laced, the way it is narrated and it demands the audience to come to theatres to watch it.
The film seems to have a war backdrop, will this film be along the lines of War romance such as Sharukh Khan’s ‘Dil Se’ and other similar films...?
No, this film has no such connections
There is this general perception/superstition in Indian society that if we name a girl ‘Sita’ she is prone to face several hurdles in life as the original Sita did. Now, you named your heroine Sita, Is it an indication to the audience that she'll face several struggles to reach her Ram?
I didn’t hear any such thing so far in my life, it is a piece of news to me, anyway, that’s not the reason why I opted to name my character or title, you’ll know it in detail once you watch the film.
What is the inspiration behind the story of your film?
I have a habit of reading books and I went to Koti, Hyderabad one day to buy some of the books and I brought a few old books as well, in that there was one unopened letter. Then after opening it I got to know that it was written by a mother to his son and I felt it was curious. Then I started writing this movie story imagining from the letter point of view, what if the letter has reached in time and vice versa, then I developed it into a film script!
Why does the team rope in actors from other industries instead of Telugu actors?
Telugu actors I wanted were busy at that time and I felt the above actors as the demanding ones for the characters and the story. So, either I had to wait for the Telugu actors or I should go with the ones I have in hand therefore I went ahead with other industry actors.
It was a collective call both from the producers and me, we all discussed the characters, thinking who would be more apt for the roles then we zeroed on Dulquer and Mrunal.
There seem to be several actors in the film, will all the actors and characters have equal potential and importance in terms of screen space and performances?
Yes, there are several actors and all are important either directly or indirectly. There is no such thing as small roles or full-length roles, it's only the characters and their significance in moving the story ahead, in that case, every actor will have something to share in the story.
Why did this film become a “Yuddham toh Raasina Premakatha” (War of Love) as mentioned in its tagline?
'Yuddham lo Jarigina Prema Katha' (Love in War) means there should be a live war happening in the background, Whereas ‘War of love’ means the Psychological conflicts between two personalities in the story therefore we named it ‘War of Love’ and that is what this film is all about which you’ll witness on screens and this is not a physical war film.

Seems like, You have talked about letters in the film, could you please elaborate?
Hero is an orphan and a soldier who serves at the border. What magic will happen once he gets to read the letter is what the story is all about. If there is any biggest emotion that the public has missed today it is letter writing. Which used to be a big phenomenon back then. Therefore we tried telling the missing emotions in the film through the letter.
More and more Pan-India films are coming from the Telugu film industry lately, what decides the fate of a Pan-India film, is it the huge budget/interesting content/ action episodes or the Pan-India star cast? and will this film be released in Hindi too?
I think it is the content itself, as far as I know, if the film's content is watchable all across the country it is called Pan-India film. and if we see at the past all the Mani Ratnam films such as 'Roja', 'Dil Se' and a few other directors' films used to release all across the country and everyone used to enjoy them. This film releasing in Hindi or not is the producer's call and it's not in my hands.
From all your previous directed films, which one film will you pick as your favourite?
I like my first film 'Andala Rakshasi' and now 'Sita Ramam'. Because they are exactly me, most of the emotions are my reflection in those characters. Coming to my flops, I have made all the films with the same honesty and dedication but some worked, some didn't work, that's it.

Is any of your movies based on your own experiences such as your love stories?
I have no such love stories to start with, I'm a very boring person. which is why I make love stories as that was missing in my life and to explore their world I make such films.
Your future projects!
I have one Hindi film, long back we also announced that it will be with Sunny Deol and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. I'm done with the script part and we'll have to get the dates and time to start it, and again it also will depend on the success of 'Sita Ramam'.