‘The Ayyappa mala is only one layer of Ravi Teja’s character’

Director Shiva Nirvana, the filmmaker behind hits like Majili and Kushi, recently offered a glimpse into Ravi Teja’s character in the upcoming film Irumudi. While the first look features the Mass Maharaja in an Ayyappa Swamy mala, Nirvana is quick to clarify that the film’s heart lies in its human connections. “The film is based on the father–daughter bond. It is a social drama with a lot of emotions and a bit of devotion,” the director says, adding, “I believe that every story should have an emotion, and I feel that the emotion should be intense, but set in a realistic space.” Addressing the buzz surrounding the poster, Nirvana stresses that the religious attire reflects only one facet of the protagonist’s journey. “Ravi Teja garu’s character is seen as an Ayyappa Swamy devotee in the poster, but it is just one part or layer of the character,” he explained. The filmmaker traced the film’s backdrop to lived experiences and collective memory. “We have been listening to Ayyappa Swamy songs since childhood. Subconsciously, the music, the atmosphere and the rituals stay with us. When an idea flashes, there is an immediate feeling that telling it within a certain backdrop will heighten its emotional impact. For me, this film does that,” he said.