Latest news with #Muthayya
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Hemanth Kumar: We are not business people yet. We are still storytellers
At a time when the line between audience and artist continues to blur, journalists Hemanth Kumar and Vrinda Prasad have made the leap from observing cinema to making it. Their debut production Muthayya, a heartwarming Telugu indie written and directed by Bhaskhar Maurya, was born not out of a boardroom plan but a shared restlessness. The film, which stars Sudhakar Reddy Kethiri in a breakout performance, has travelled to several festivals and earned praise from industry giants including SS Rajamouli and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. But for Hemanth and Vrinda, it's not just about acclaim, it's about integrity too. Vrinda says the shift began when she grew disillusioned with television. 'There's only so much you can do on TV,' she adds, 'There's a format, and there's no space to explore stories with heart. I'd always told Hemanth, who's been my best friend for over 15 years, that we should do something on our own one day. But we didn't have the courage then.' In 2019, the duo started planned to do something else but it didn't last long. Then, in 2021, Vrinda, working at Zee at the time, decided she'd had enough of corporate restraiants. She recalls quitting on May 30. Five days later, a friend brought Bhaskhar's Muthayya script to them. 'He said, 'It's your kind of film.' We heard it on June 5, and by June 7, we told Bhaskhar we were in. No investors, no plan; we just knew we had to make it.' Funding came from a friend, equipment came from well-wishers, and goodwill fuelled the production. Cinematographer Divakar Mani joined on a friendly basis and was later given co-producer credit. 'Everything about this film happened because of people who just believed in the story,' Vrinda says. Hemanth's entry into production, he says, stems from his 'genuine love for Telugu cinema.' A mechanical engineering graduate from BITS Pilani, he found his calling in criticism, blogging about movies from 2007. 'I took a film studies elective in my final semester and watched Nostalgia by Tarkovsky,' he says, 'It blew my mind. I didn't even understand what I was watching, but I knew I wanted to study film seriously.' The idea of enabling other people's stories rather than telling their own is a conscious one. Vrinda admits she has no interest in writing fiction, and Hemanth laughingly says he would be 'the worst director'. But as producers, they have clarity of purpose. 'Our job is to spot the potential in an idea and create the best environment to bring it alive,' she says. That clarity also comes with an awareness of risk. 'Nobody wakes up and says they want the headache of producing a film,' Hemanth laughs and adds, 'But producers are the unsung heroes. From scouting talent and building a crew to thinking two years ahead about where the market will be, it's exhausting and invisible work.' Hemanth specifies that the film was made in just 15 days, including reshoots. 'We didn't have the luxury of time, but the clarity of vision helped. Bhaskhar, our director, had a very unique approach; he didn't want to overwhelm the actors, many of whom were new. That affected how we framed the scenes too. The camera just observed,' he says. The film's visual language, composed of long takes and static shots, initially worried Vrinda. 'There were no close-ups, no coverage,' she recalls. 'I was terrified. But once we saw the rough cut, we knew it worked.' Their debut might have been an emotional leap of faith, but they are more pragmatic now. 'If you ask me today to make Muthayya again, I don't know if I'll do it unless I have a streaming deal in place,' Vrinda says. 'The struggle was real. We made it during COVID, aimed for OTT. The streamers were taking any film that was available in the market. By the time we were done, then theatres reopened. Suddenly, the world changed. Now, everybody is going behind theatres. It was a battle for us to bring the film out.' Despite all this, Muthayya found its home. Eventually released on ETVWin. The film also went on to premiere at festivals, gaining attention from industry heavyweights. 'Nani released our teaser, Kajal launched our poster, and Suriya sir tweeted about it,' Vrinda recounts, her voice still tinged with disbelief. 'That's the beauty of the relationships we've built over the years. These are people who've seen us grow, just as we've seen them evolve.' Hemanth agrees and says, 'That support doesn't come from nowhere. People knew we were genuine, that we give our heart and soul to a project.' Their past in film journalism remains both a foundation and a lens. Hemanth adds, 'When I reviewed films, I never claimed to know everything. It was just my personal perspective. That humility stays. We think of the audience first. I don't bring that understanding here. The media world gave me access to every part of the industry. I learnt so much just by asking questions on sets and in interviews. That's what shaped my understanding of cinema.' Today's audience, they believe, is fragmented. 'Everyone is busy with something now,' Hemanth says. 'If people have two hours, they might go to YouTube, Instagram, or Netflix. That's why films have to earn their time. If you're spending two hundred rupees, you need to walk into an experience.' Still, both are clear about one thing: they are not in it just for survival. 'There's a reason we didn't chase stars or big names for Muthayya,' Vrinda says, 'The story was the star. Sudhakar gaaru brought a kind of magic no big name could have.' As for what kind of stories they want to tell, both cite a blend of instinct and economics. 'You have to play by certain rules,' Hemanth says, 'The crowd matters. We might love European cinema, but that can't always dictate our choices. Still, we believe there's space for both.' Vrinda concludes saying, 'The industry definitely needs more producers. Not just businessmen, but people who care about stories and processes. Because this job is lonely, unpredictable, and hard, but it is also full of possibilities.' Hemanth agrees, 'At heart, we're still storytellers, not business people yet. We want to help tell stories we believe in. Because making cinema could be a journey of 1 or 2 years, and through all that, if you don't believe in your film, there's no point.' As they look ahead, their plans are more structured. They're working on a rural comedy, a rom-com, and a horror film. They are also actively pitching scripts to platforms and looking for collaborative partners. 'You can't stick to one model anymore,' Hemanth says. 'Some projects are OTT-bound, others are theatrical. But you have to think of the crowd. Our taste cannot be the only filter.'
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Muthayya' movie review: This charming Telugu film about long-cherished dreams pays homage to cinema
Watching director Bhaskhar Maurya's Telugu film Muthayya, now streaming on ETV Win, feels like shedding the trappings of urban life and settling into an unhurried rural setting, surrounded by affable characters. The story centres on a 70-year-old man from a village in Telangana, who dreams of becoming a film actor and seeing himself on the big screen — just once in his lifetime. Age may not be on his side, but his zest for life remains undiminished. Humour weaves gently through the narrative. In an early scene, two men climb a water tank to unveil a banner. Someone remarks, in the Telangana dialect, 'Yem peekindu?' (What did he achieve?). We soon find out. At the heart of the story is Muthayya (played by Sudhakar Reddy of Balagamfame), who owns a modest plot of land that overlooks open fields and distant hills. Each evening, he retreats to his simple dwelling on the land, sharing a drink or two with his much younger friend Malli (Arun Kumar), who runs a cycle repair shop in the village. Muthayya (Telugu) Director: Bhaskhar Maurya Cast: Sudhakar Reddy, Arun Kumar Run time: 118 minutes Storyline: An elderly man is determined to fulfill his dream of seeing himself on the large screen. Streaming on: ETV Win Birds chirp, Karthik Rodriguez's earthy score plays gently in the background, and cinematographer Divakar Mani captures the beauty of the hamlet without embellishment. The narrative gently unveils the ordinariness of Muthayya's daily life — his strained relationship with a son burdened by financial pressures, a kind-hearted daughter-in-law, and a cheerful grandson. At an age when most villagers are content to lead quiet lives, Muthayya is stirred by his long-held dream of becoming an actor. Posters of film stars surround his mirror, and he often reminisces about his failed attempts in Madras. One memorable scene features Muthayya lamenting the state of modern cinema, yet insisting on watching new films to stay up to date with contemporary acting styles. It is these smaller, reflective moments — more than grand narrative arcs — that make Muthayya linger in the mind. The film intermittently touches on Malli's love story, village drama troupes, and the younger generation dabbling in short films and Instagram reels. Director Bhaskhar Maurya allows the story to breathe, taking its time with unhurried pacing that may test the impatient viewer, especially in the first half. But it is this very rhythm that lets the characters settle into your heart. As the plot gently gathers momentum, with life presenting Muthayya a final chance at fulfilling his dream, the film becomes a battle between aspiration and resignation. The silver-haired, paunchy Muthayya might just remain a local stage star, especially when faced with opportunists and financial constraints. Yet you cannot help but root for him. Much of the film's soul lies in its performances. Sudhakar Reddy and Arun Kumar, supported by a well-cast ensemble (many of whom hail from the region), anchor the story with authenticity. Their unassuming presence blends seamlessly into the rural fabric the film aims to depict. The final sequence pays heartfelt homage to the communal joy of cinema, unfolding in a way both unexpected and deeply rewarding. At just under two hours, Muthayya is a tender, unhurried tale that reminds us there is a rich, grounded world beyond the spectacle of mainstream Telugu cinema. (Muthayya is streaming on ETV Win)
Hans India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
SS Rajamouli unveils heartwarming trailer of ‘Muthayya'
The moving trailer of the award-winning film Muthayya was officially launched today by celebrated filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli and producer Shobu Yarlagadda. Rajamouli expressed his admiration, stating that the trailer deeply touched him and conveyed his best wishes to the entire team. Directed by Bhaskhar Maurya, Muthayya stars K. Sudhakar Reddy, Arun Raj, Poorna Chandra, and Mounika Bomma in lead roles. The film is produced by Vamsi Karumanchi and Vrinda Prasad under HY Life Entertainments Pvt. Ltd. and Fictionary Entertainment LLP, with Diwakar Mani serving both as cinematographer and co-producer. The film is set to premiere on ETV Win on May 1. Muthayya tells the heartfelt story of a 60-year-old man from Chennuru whose lifelong dream is to become a film actor. Despite his age and lack of support, Muthayya persistently chases his dream—visiting every film crew in his village, creating reels for social media, and showcasing his talent in local stage plays. However, the journey isn't easy. With financial struggles and minimal encouragement from his loved ones, Muthayya's passion is tested at every turn. The trailer powerfully captures his emotional highs and lows, culminating in a burning question: Will Muthayya ever get to see himself on the big screen with his fellow villagers watching? A compelling line from the trailer encapsulates his inner struggle, making the teaser all the more impactful. Muthayya promises to be a touching tale of dreams, determination, and the enduring spirit of storytelling.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Director Bhaskhar Maurya: ‘Muthayya' was born out of my fear
'I believed that my film would find its audience even if it took time,' says Bhaskhar Maurya, who has written and directed the Telugu indie film Muthayya. The film, which will stream on ETV Win from May 1, narrates the story of a 70-year-old man from rural Telangana with a long-cherished dream of seeing himself as an actor on the large screen. Call it serendipity, but the rather painstaking wait of this film, which began its journey in 2022 to reach its audience resonates with the film's story and tagline, 'it is never too late to dream big'. Muthayya, headlined by Sudhakar Reddy of Balagam fame, was filmed in and around Wanaparthy in Telangana. Produced by Hylife Entertainments and Fictionary Entertainment, the film was shot at a stretch in 15 days, starring several locals in supporting parts. Soon after its completion in early 2022, Muthayya premiered at the UK Asian Film Festival in London. It won the best feature film in Indian languages at the Kolkata International Film Festival. Bhaskhar bagged the award for best debut director at the Meta Film Fest, Dubai. The makers also won the best feature film jury award at the Indic Film Utsav. The seed for Muthayya was sown when Bhaskhar, who had chased filmmaking dreams in Hyderabad, returned home to Wanaparthy. 'I noticed people making reels and short films using their mobile phones and uploading them on YouTube and social media. They were not trained in filmmaking, but that did not dampen their enthusiasm.' Bhaskhar learnt about a few natives who nurtured dreams of a career in cinema but never made it, consumed by responsibilities at home. The thought that Bhaskhar could also end up like one of them, burying his directorial dreams, gnawed at him. He channeled that fear into writing a story of realising one's dreams, age no bar. 'Muthayya stemmed from the fear that I might end up growing old, without becoming a director. I wanted to make an entertaining film, not arthouse cinema.' Bhaskhar wrote the screenplay, since he did not have resources to pay anyone else. Once done with the first draft, he narrated the story to friends and used the feedback to finetune the screenplay. Hailing from a family of teachers, Bhaskhar pursued a diploma course in acting and direction at the Roshan Taneja School of Acting in Hyderabad. 'I learnt the basics,' he says, adding, 'I could not afford the fee at other larger film schools.' Armed with the diploma, in 2012-13, he tried to make inroads into Telugu cinema as an assistant director, in vain. Returning to Wanaparthy, he was amused by the emerging short film culture. Drawing from his knowledge gained at the film school, he began making short films. Bhaskhar also collaborated with his friends who were working on independent films, and spent the next three years learning screenwriting and script development. 'I had not paid enough attention to the writing process at the film school. I realised its importance when I ventured out on my own.' When Bhaskhar approached producers with the script of Muthayya, even those who liked the story wanted to tweak it to make it more commercially viable. Bhaskhar did not want to dilute the essence of the story. 'Ultimately I found the right producers — Vamsi Karumanchi, Vrinda Prasad and Hemanth Kumar — who gave me 100% creative freedom.' Cinematographer Divakar Mani, music composer Karthik Rodriguez, editor Sai Murali and sound designer Vamsi Priya Rasineni came on board. Bhaskhar says in gratitude, 'One cannot make this kind of authentic cinema without the right people.' Actors were chosen through auditions. Incidentally, Sudhakar Reddy's knowledge of Telugu theatre and some of his personality traits came in handy for his character portrayal. 'Arun Raj who was cast as his younger friend, Malli, is a native of a village in Mahbubnagar. His body language and dialogue delivery were apt for the character. We chose Mounica, Poorna and others through auditions. We wanted people who would be in sync with the film's setting.' Bhaskhar spent several days rehearsing with the actors and discussing the technical aspects with the crew. 'Divakar Mani is among the best cinematographers and was a boon to our film. We decided to shoot in Wanaparthy and nearby villages since it was familiar terrain for me.' After a location recce, the team began filming Muthayya during early monsoon in 2021. 'We had overcast weather conditions throughout, but it did not pour. Thanks to the rehearsals and good coordination in the crew, we completed filming in 15 days, as against the 25 days we had planned,' says Bhaskar. With the sound engineer, he also ensured that the film reflects the authenticity of the region, with ambient sounds. The real test began once the film was completed. Digital platforms that were until then open to smaller films, began changing their pattern of acquisition. The film's release fate hung in balance, and Bhaskhar moved on to take up more work. 'By then, several people in the film industry had heard about Muthayya and there was respect for the team.' Bhaskhar then directed the web series Sivarapalle, the Telugu adaptation of Panchayat, for Amazon Prime Video. Next, he is writing a film that is to be made on a larger scale for theatrical release.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Find out when and where to watch 'Muthayya' on OTT
The award-winning social drama film 'Muthayya', directed by Bhaskhar Maurya, is all set for its digital premiere. The film is an inspiring tale of hope, passion, and perseverance and has won several prestigious awards at international film festivals. OTT platform announcement The film is about a 70-year-old man who dreams of becoming an actor before the end of his life. The film will be released on ETV Win starting May 1, 2025. The OTT handle on their social media handle wrote, "Muthayya. A heartwarming story of dreams, hope, and passion! Witness the inspiring journey of a 70-year-old dreamer from Chennuru. Premieres from May 1. Only on @etvwin." About the film Muthayya is set in a small village and follows the simple life of its titular character, who owns a small piece of land and takes up odd jobs to make ends meet. Being a devoted cinema lover, Muthayya spends much of his time watching movies at the local theatre or chatting with his young friend Malli, a mechanic. They always speak about Muthayya's one big dream: to see himself on the silver screen. Despite the many obstacles posed by age and circumstance, Muthayya's spirit remains unbroken as he pursues his lifelong aspiration. The film features a strong cast including K. Sudhakar Reddy , known for his work in Balagam and Bapu, alongside newcomer Arun Raj, Mounika Bomma, and Purna Chandra in key roles. 'Muthayya' premiered at the UK Asian Film Festival and was showcased at several other international festivals. It won the Hiralal Sen Memorial Award for Best Feature Film in Indian Languages at the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival. It also won Best Feature Film at the Indic Film Festival 2022 and Best Debut Director at the META Film Festival in Dubai.
