Anil Ravipudi achieved the biggest hit of his career with “Sankranthiki Vasthunam,” which is currently in theaters. He also has completed ten years of his career, as his first film, Pataas, was released exactly a decade ago. On this occasion, he discussed his career.
What is your greatest achievement in this decade-long career?
The audience’s love is the most valuable asset I have earned. In terms of their love, I am a multimillionaire.
Did you anticipate such big success for “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” when you were creating the script?
Our goal was to achieve success in the “F2” line, which was my first collaboration with Venkatesh Garu. But the success of “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” has gone beyond everyone’s expectations. The revenue has exceeded all expectations, and even experts and trade pundits are surprised by the collection figures.
The festival season played a significant role in its success…
When a film is released during festival season, it can benefit from revenue up to 20%, but the remaining 80% of the collection is determined by the content. If the material is weak, even a festival season will not be helpful. For this film, the basic premise of the protagonist’s travel with his wife and ex-girlfriend worked well. No one had attempted such a line in recent years.
What is the secret of your success?
I write my stories with the audience in mind, and I consider my strengths. Before starting any film, I ensure that I stay true to my strengths and avoid overstretching.
What have you learned during your decade-long career?
I watch all releases, and if there is anything I can learn from them, I will learn it and keep myself updated. I’ve been doing this for several years. I used to react to everything, but now I’ve stopped and am focusing on my work. This is the most significant change.
How does it feel when people compare you to the late filmmaker EVV Satyanarayana?
EVV Garu is a legend. I grew up watching his movies. If people think my films are as entertaining as EVV’s films were, I consider it a big compliment.
What is the genre of your upcoming film starring megastar Chiranjeevi?
It is too early to discuss that project. There is a lot to do before even meeting Chiranjeevi Garu. One thing I can say is that I will present him absolutely differently.
Is there a plan to make a film with Akkineni Nagarjuna?
I want to direct a film like “Hello, Brother,” starring Nagarjuna Garu. My aim is to direct the four top stars of my generation: Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, and Venkatesh. I realized my dream with Balakrishna and Venkatesh garu, and now I will direct Chiranjeevi. I’ll wait for an opportunity from Nagarjuna.
