My success mantra is novel themes, says director Muthyala Subbiah
By : BVS Prakash
Update: 2024-08-30 06:06 GMT
Veteran Telugu director Muthyala Subbiah is making a comeback of sorts with a new film 'Thalli Manasu' after taking a break for over 10 years. Veteran director is known for blockbusters like ‘“Hitler’, ‘Annayya’, ‘Pellichesukundam’, ‘Pavitra Bandam’ and ‘Anna’ to carve a niche for himself in Tollywood. He proved to be a capable filmmaker who rode on novel storylines and tasted success. The 80-year-old director tells Deccan Chronicle that he found a refreshing plot for his comeback too.
Muthyala Subbiah with Dasari Narayana Rao and Chiranjeevi from the sets of Hitler (Photo: X)
Q What is the reason for your comeback with a new film 'Thalli Manasu?
A: It is true that I took a break for over 10 years since the stories and style of filmmaking changed. I preferred to relax at home, rather than dishing out clichéd movies. My last film was ‘Aalayam’ in 2008 which talked about unity in diversity and also harped on the idea of India which breaks all religion and caste barriers and makes people live together happily. It wasn’t promoted as expected. I also realized that promotions have become more important and expensive than making a film, so I understood the changing dynamics of cinema and stepped out.
Q: After directing 50-odd films, you have turned a producer now?
A: My two sons completed their post graduation in Australia and were doing lucrative jobs. Later, they urged me to make a comeback. They wanted to carry my legacy forward and reach out to new generation viewers and established ‘Muthyala Movie Makers’. My kind of cinema is only about refreshing themes revolving around human emotions. Finally, we found a script that would be path-breaking and talks about the greatness of motherhood in 'Thalli Manasu'. We completed 30 percent shoot within stipulated budgets. I will be supervising the project while my son Muthyala Ananth Kishore is handling production with my co-director Sreenivas turning director.
Q: Amidst crass commercial films, will content-driven movies have a chance?
A: I am assured that content driven movies will always remain in the reckoning although star-studded and action movies will have their own place. For instance, Malayalam cinema is thriving on novel content and films like ‘Manjumel Boys’ are rocking the world. Even on OTT, Malayalam plots are appreciated without even knowing the casting. That’s the power of stories around human emotions-like father-son, friendship, sibling love, young love stories, wife-husband and so on- which will attract viewers any day, if they have some novelty. I think even Telugu audiences will move towards story-driven films and my comeback timing seems to be right.
Q: You also worked with big stars like Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna Venkatesh and Dr Rajasekhar to be hailed as star filmmakers?
A: I don’t want to be branded a star filmmaker and I would prefer to be a story-based director. I had a great opportunity to work with Chiranjeevi garu and delivered big hits like ‘Hitler’ and ‘Annayya’ and also it was great working with Balakrishna, Venkatesh and Dr Rajasekhar and all were good actors and stars too. I truly enjoyed my journey in the movie industry for more than three decades and I was content with my body of work. Yet, now I want to guide my sons to take my legacy forward and make their name in industry.