Script determines time spent on shooting, says Samuthirakani

HYDERABAD: He started as a character artiste in films, but went on to play pivotal roles, and eventually reached a stage where he directed Pawan Kalyan! Samuthirakani, who helms Bro, says it all just happened.

“I came to the film industry as an assistant director in 1994, and since then I have worked on whatever came my way. Hit or flop, I take both in my stride,” he says.

Also featuring Sai Dharam Tej, Bro is a remake of Tamil film, Vinodhaya Sitham (2021), which too was directed by Samuthirakani. However, the director says the Telugu version has been customised to suit the industry.

The director, who became teary-eyed during the trailer launch of Bro,  reveals that he became emotional on seeing the fans’ response. “Vinodhaya Sitham didn’t release in theatres, so I didn’t know how the audience and fans reacted. But Bro has a theatrical release, and the response from Pawan fans and the audience has been phenomenal,” he shares.

Vinodhaya Sitham deals with a 50-year-old man’s struggles in life.

“Pawan garu was piqued by the story’s philosophy and believed that I could recreate the magic; he trusted my work ethics and pushed me forward,” recalls the director.

The film has become a trendsetter by completing the shoot in record time. “The content demanded such effort, but the actors supported me well. It’s the script that determines the number of shooting days,” he says.