Adbhutham is the title of the upcoming Telugu film starring actors Teja Sajja and Shivani Rajashekar in the lead roles, actor Nani announced on Thursday while releasing the film’s first look poster on social media.
The film is directed by Mallik Ram and produced by Chandra Shekher Mogulla and Srujan Yarlabolu under the banners Mahaateja Creations and S Originals, respectively.
In a conversation with Silverscreen India, Ram, who has previously directed Naruda Donoruda (2016), says the title of his second feature film means wonder or miracle in Telugu. “It is about what happens to a couple who are destined to be together. Whatever happens between them is adbhutham. The film has a fantasy element to it, but it is the love story that will predominantly drive the emotional aspect of the plot. The fantasy element is the conflict that comes between the pair and how they overcome it is the rest of the story.”
While the film will have some CGI, the filmmaker stresses that it is primarily a love story.
Expanding on the plot, Ram says, “Teja’s character is a depressed guy. He loses his father and feels guilty about it because he is partially responsible for his father’s death. So he is on the verge of committing suicide. On the other hand, Shivani’s character is very ambitious. She wants to pursue automobile engineering and go abroad. She comes into his life and changes it. It is an opposites attract type of situation.”
While the screenplay is by Lakshmi Bhupala, the story is written by filmmaker Prasanth Varma, who has earlier directed Teja in Zombie Reddy (2021) and is set to work with the actor again in the upcoming Telugu superhero film Hanu-Man.
Speaking about the collaboration, Ram says, “Prasanth and I have been friends since the beginning of our cinema journey. We met when working on one of his films. Though that film did not work out, we remained friends. Later, I met Teja through Prasanth.”
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Adbhutham was shot by cinematographer Vidyasagar Chinta in September 2019 in Hyderabad, just before Zombie Reddy went on floors. In addition, the team also shot a song in Puducherry in February 2020. The film features four songs, all composed by Rathan.
According to the director, Adbhutham is currently in the final stages of post-production and the final copy should be ready in 15-20 days.
When asked about the film’s release, he says, “If there is a possibility, we would love to release it in theatres. But right now, it looks like OTTs are the safe bet. If it is a theatrical release, then we have to discuss how to promote the film and get people to the theatres, given the third wave of Covid-19 is around the corner. I believe people only go out to see bigger star films these days, while they prefer watching other ones in their living room. But it’s all up to the producers.”