Latest news with #PraveenKandregula
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
My role in Telugu film Paradha, an emotionally challenging one: Anupama Parameswaran
'More than physical hard work, it was an emotionally challenging role,' said Anumpama Parameswaran, the protagonist in the Telugu film Paradha, scheduled to release in theatres on August 22, 2025. Directed by Cinema Bandi fame Praveen Kandregula, the film is set in a village where women are bound by the 'paradha' custom which is the practice of covering their faces with veils. Anupama plays Subbu, a young woman raised to believe that marriage and motherhood are a woman's ultimate destiny. The trailer of the film suggests that it is a compelling glimpse into a story rooted in deep-seated tradition and portrays the fight to break free of the shackles. As part of a promotional tour, the Paradha team visited Vijayawada on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) and spoke to the local media. 'I have faced many difficulties while doing this film and this is my dream role. I request you to please watch this film only in theatres and I promise that you will not be disappointed,' she said. Speaking about how her character in the film needed to navigate complex and emotionally draining situations, Ms. Parameswaran became emotional and broke down. 'It's a unique and very special film that will be spoken about for many years. It takes courage to make films like this and I am privileged to play this role,' she said. Ms. Parameswaran said the film portrays female empowerment and resilience, suggesting that a woman can overcome challenges and achieve her goals, potentially even in traditionally male-dominated fields or situations. Speaking about her costumes in the film, she said she loved wearing the traditional 'langa-voni'. 'I feel very comfortable in it and I love the way the great amount of focus given to every minute detail in the way we look in this project,' she said. The director of the film Praveen Kandregula said he would consider this project as his cinematic debut. 'My first two films were quirky and comedy-based, but this is a serious subject packed with emotions,' he said. 'A fan of Mani Ratnam' Calling himself a huge Mani Ratnam fan, Mr. Praveen said Paradha is visually appealing. 'I love to tell new stories in my own sensibilities and Paradha is an attempt in that direction,' he said, making a fervent request to people to watch the film in theatres on August 22.
Hans India
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
‘Egirey Nee Rekkale' from ‘Parada' strikes an emotional chord
The musical journey of Parada, the upcoming emotional drama directed by Cinema Bandi fame Praveen Kandregula, has taken a touching turn with the release of its third single — Egirey Nee Rekkale. Backed by popular creators Raj and DK and produced by Vijay Donkada, Srinivasulu PV, and Sridhar Makkuva under Ananda Media, the film promises to be a heartfelt experience. Featuring Anupama Parameswaran, Darshan Rajendran, and Sangeetha in key roles, the film has already garnered attention through its previously released teasers and songs. Now, Egirey Nee Rekkale has emerged as a soulful track that celebrates life, emotions, and inner journeys. Composed by star music director Gopi Sundar, the song is both melodious and emotionally evocative. Vanamali's lyrics add poetic depth, while Ritesh G Rao's vocals bring out the song's heartfelt essence. The track beautifully captures the emotional arcs of the characters, taking viewers on a visual and lyrical ride. Shot across breathtaking locations, the visuals in the song elevate its emotional appeal. Anupama, Darshan, and Sangeetha's journeys portrayed in the video are stirring, leaving a lasting impression. The film also features Rag Mayur in a key role, with Mridul Sujith Sen handling the cinematography and Dharmendra Kakarala managing the edit. Parada is set to release in theatres on August 22, and with songs like Egarey Nee Rinke winning hearts already, expectations are sky-high for this emotional entertainer.
Hans India
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
‘Yatra Naryastu' from ‘Paradha' gets released, creates buzz
Director Praveen Kandregula, who made a mark with Cinema Bandi, is returning with an emotionally intense and culturally rooted film titled Paradha. Produced by the acclaimed duo Raj and DK—best known for The Family Man—the film is jointly backed by Vijay Donkada, Sreenivasulu PV, and Sridhar Makkuva under the Ananda Media banner. Starring Anupama Parameswaran in a powerful lead role, Paradha also features Darshana Rajendran, Sangitha, and Rag Mayur in significant parts. The film is slated for a theatrical release on August 22. To mark the announcement, the makers unveiled the film's first single, Yatra Naryastu. Composed by Gopi Sundar, the track is a tribute to the resilience and divinity of women. Vanamali's meaningful lyrics combined with Anurag Kulkarni's stirring vocals create an emotionally charged and spiritually rich experience. The visuals accompanying the song are poignant — featuring Anupama in a white saree, exuding grief and strength as she undergoes a painful village tradition, while her family mourns silently. The scenes reflect the emotional and societal challenges faced by women in rural communities. The film's poster, featuring Anupama draped in a traditional saree with a goddess idol in the backdrop, hints at the film's spiritual undertone and female-led narrative. The promotional content so far has been met with an enthusiastic response. Paradha promises a blend of cultural authenticity, emotional depth, and a strong message on women's empowerment. The cinematography is handled by Mridul Sujit Sen, with editing by Dharmendra Kakarala. Expectations are high as Praveen Kandregula collaborates with Raj and DK for a story rooted in tradition yet relevant to contemporary conversations.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Screenwriter Vasanth Maringanti discusses quitting his software job to write ‘Uppu Kapurambu' and ‘Subham'
'Writing is a full-time job; not everyone takes to it with the intention of becoming a director,' says Vasanth Maringanti. Vasanth is the screenwriter of Telugu indie films Cinema Bandi and Subham. His next work, Uppu Kapurambu directed by Ani IV Sasi and starring Keerthy Suresh and Suhas, will stream on Amazon Prime Video from July 4. Cinema Bandi was a charming story of villagers trying their hand at filmmaking when they chance upon a high-end camera. A one-line idea from director Praveen Kandregula and Vasanth, along with Praveen and co-writer Krishna Pratyusha, turned it into an uplifting comedy drama. The recently-released horror comedy Subham, produced by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, was written by Vasanth in collaboration with filmmaker Raj Nidimoru, and explored the possibility of women being possessed while watching television soaps. In between all the laughter, the narrative worked as a commentary on gender dynamics. 'I would observe how my grandmother and others were emotionally drawn towards serials. I exaggerated that situation in a work of fiction,' Vasanth explains. Graveyard woes Uppu Kapurambu emerged when Vasanth read a news article about the lack of graveyard space in a region. 'I lead a boring life, so I try to make my stories far more interesting,' Vasanth says with a laugh, during this interview in Hyderabad. 'I wrote Uppu… in a month and a half, my fastest yet. More than just a story, how people react to a situation interests me.' Screenwriting was a natural progression of Vasanth's interest in writing. He wrote short stories in school and remembers finding a diary from 1997 in which he had penned a two-page story titled 'Dracula'. Growing up in Kakinada, like many youngsters in the Telugu states, he too studied engineering. While in college, he wrote, 'The Day After My Death,' on a whim. 'It was a bad book,' he says with a chuckle. 'I approached a store that prints wedding cards and asked if they would publish it if I paid them. Nearly 150 copies were printed and I circulated them among my family and friends.' Vasanth worked as a software engineer for 14 years with five leading MNCs. Simultaneously, he began blogging. 'All through that time, I wanted to quit,' he says. 'Writing was my escape and during that period, I wanted to assess if people enjoyed reading what I wrote. The feedback I received for my blogs helped me understand that.' He also worked on a book which was rejected by several publishing houses. A chance conversation with actor-director Anish Kuruvilla through Facebook served as a turning point. 'Anish showed interest and said the story could be an interesting film. He was kind enough to talk to me about the basics of screenwriting,' he recalls. The first step Vasanth began reading books on screenwriting and watched movies to understand screenplays. In 2017, Praveen Kandregula, then an aspiring filmmaker, made an enquiry for screenwriters in Bengaluru via social media. 'A friend suggested my name. Incidentally, Praveen and I were working in the same city and lived two kilometres apart. He narrated the one-line story of Cinema Bandi and I sensed it would not only be entertaining, but also garner critical acclaim. That is how my journey in cinema began.' Cinema Bandi streamed directly on Netflix during the pandemic. Six months later, Vasanth quit his job. 'I began getting calls from industry folks for screenwriting, but my full-time job was a limitation.' The decision to quit a well-paying job was not easy. He credits his wife for holding the fort until he found his footing in cinema. 'She is a mobile phone app developer; we have two children and it was not easy for me to let go of an assured monthly salary.' Test of patience Vasanth had grown up admiring the works of writers Mullapudi Venkataramana and Yandamuri Veerendranath, as well as writer-directors Bapu and Jandhyala. Now working on the screenplays of two new films, Vasanth says the most challenging aspect of being a screenwriter is to have the faith and patience until a screenplay is approved and a film goes on the floors. The recognition for Subham motivated him to explore writing further. 'Samantha's name being associated with the film and a theatrical release has meant instant recognition for all of us. The other day at a store, the owner introduced me to his wife and daughter as 'Subham writer', and they told me how much they enjoyed the film. It made my day.' As to the pertinent question of whether screenwriting pays bills, Vasanth pauses and answers, 'Initially it is not easy, but after one or two projects, it definitely gets better.' He also adds that direction is not in his scheme of things, at least for now. 'Many writers turn directors either for monetary reasons or when they think their stories are not being transformed accurately on screen.' Writing is what he set out to do and he is happy in that pursuit.
Economic Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
From Dear Uma and Aa Okkati Adakku to Subham and Rana Naidu Season 2: Latest Telugu OTT releases on Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar
Do not miss out on these exciting releases this week. (Pic courtesy- IMDB) June brings a diverse lineup of Telugu films and series to the OTT space, with genres ranging from fantasy and horror to crime, romance, and satire. Whether you're in the mood for a supernatural laugh, a heart-racing mystery, or a poignant drama, there's something new to stream across JioHotstar, Prime Video, Netflix, SunNXT, ETV Win and ZEE5. Here's a look at the latest releases you won't want to miss this week: Streaming on: JioHotstar Blending horror with laughter, Subham is a uniquely entertaining ride that redefines the classic ghost story trope. Directed by Praveen Kandregula and produced by Samantha under her banner Tralala Moving Pictures along with Kanakavalli Talkies, this film introduces audiences to a town possessed—not by evil spirits, but by a deep obsession with a Telugu soap opera. The plot revolves around three friends who run the only cable TV service in their town and face an absurd crisis when ancestral spirits begin possessing the local women just so they can watch their favourite serial. The clever twist? The only way to break the curse is to change the ending of the show. With performances by Harshith Reddy, Gavireddy Srinivas, Charan Peri, and others, Subham delivers both absurdity and social satire in a spooky, entertaining format. Streaming on: SunNXT Dear Uma tackles a bold and controversial topic—the medical mafia—in a story that blends emotional grit with an investigative tone. Directed by Sai Rajesh Mahadev, the film is anchored by a commanding performance from Sumaya Reddy, who holds the narrative together with depth and conviction. It also features Kamal Kamaraju, Sapthagiri, and Ajay Ghosh in pivotal roles. Though the film didn't fare well in theatres due to its lesser-known cast, the team is optimistic that the film will find its audience on OTT. Prithvi Raj Amber, who plays the male lead, believes the film's subject matter will spark much-needed conversations. With music by Radhan and a grounded script, Dear Uma could be a slow-burner success online. Streaming on: ETV Win Allari Naresh returns to his comedic roots in Aa Okkati Adakku, a romantic comedy driven by a ticking-clock prophecy and plenty of laughs. Directed by Malli Ankam, the story follows Gana, a man desperate to get married after a priest foretells that he has only 25 days to find a bride—or remain single for life. The prophecy becomes a source of comic paranoia as his family and society pressure him into a frantic search. Enter Siddhi, played by Faria Abdullah, who initially rejects him but slowly warms up, leading to a feel-good romance filled with misunderstandings and emotional depth. The supporting cast includes Vennela Kishore, Harsha Chemudu, Jamie Lever, and Ravi Krishna, all of whom bring fresh energy and humour. The film is both funny and endearing, making it a solid OTT pick for fans of light-hearted dramas. ETV Win Releasing: June 15 Part of ETV Win's Kathasudha series, Premante Idhi Kadha is a short film with a big emotional core. Though only 30–40 minutes long, it promises to pack a punch with its direct-to-OTT debut. Set for release on Sunday, June 15, it continues the trend of short-form storytelling that explores varied themes and human emotions. This anthology series has been receiving praise for its simplicity, warmth, and the ability to connect deeply in a short runtime. While details of the cast remain under wraps, the storytelling format itself has become a viewer favourite, and this episode is expected to follow suit. Streaming on: SunNXT A romantic thriller with a twist, Jigel introduces viewers to the quirky world of Nandu, a self-styled 'locker technician' with a talent for cracking open anything locked. Played by Thrigun, Nandu's aspirations for wealth are derailed when he begins having vivid dreams about a mysterious woman. When he finally meets Meena, played by Megha Chowdhury—a petty thief in real life—the two forge a bond that goes beyond attraction. Together, they take on the challenge of unlocking an ancient mystery hidden in a rich man's home. While the screenplay received praise for its freshness, the film had a lukewarm response in theatres. However, its digital release could attract genre fans interested in a mix of romance, suspense, and action. The film also stars Sayaji Shinde, Mukku Avinash, and Raghu Babu in supporting roles. Streaming on: Netflix The explosive father-son drama Rana Naidu is back with Season 2—and it's more intense than ever. Starring real-life uncle-nephew duo Rana Daggubati and Venkatesh Daggubati, the show dives deeper into the murky underbelly of celebrity scandals and power games. The second season spans eight episodes and continues the story of Rana, the fixer to the rich and powerful, and Naga Naidu, his morally complex father. The drama unfolds with more betrayals, moral dilemmas, and violent reckonings, offering a gripping binge-watch across six languages. Directed by Karan Anshuman and Suparn S Varma, Rana Naidu stands out for its gritty storytelling and character depth, elevating Telugu web content to international standards.
