SR Kalyanamandapam, the Telugu film which features actor Kiran Abbavaram in the lead role, is scheduled to release on August 6. It will be among the first batch of Telugu films to release in theatres which were earlier shut in view of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The film is backed by producers Pramod and Raju under the banner Elite Entertainments. In addition to acting, Kiran has also written the story, screenplay, and dialogues of the film. Debutant filmmaker Sridhar Gade has directed and edited the film.
On Tuesday, two days ahead of the actor’s birthday, the film’s makers released a 33-second teaser.
Speaking to Silverscreen India about SR Kalyanamandapam, Gade says it is a “family entertainer drama” that revolves around the bond between a father and son.
“The titular kalyanamandapam (marriage hall) plays a pivotal role in bringing the duo closer. Sri Rajalakshmi (SR) Kalyanamandapam is owned by the hero’s grandfather after whose death it is inherited by his father. As the father is unable to manage the property, the hero steps in to revive it. The duo have some misunderstandings and the story is about how SR Kalyanamandapam brings them closer. The story touches on the college life of the hero as well,” he adds.
While Kiran plays the son, Sai Kumar essays the role of his father and Tulasi his mother. Priyanka Jawalkar plays a college student and the love interest of Kiran, and Srikanth Iyengar plays her father.
Asked how the collaboration with Kiran came about, the director explains they have been friends for the past five years after working on a short film in 2016. “I also did a role in Kiran’s debut film Raja Vaaru Rani Gaaru (2019). We were thinking of collaborating on another project earlier, but that film did not take off.”
SR Kalyanamandapam is set in Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh, and it was shot in the same region in a 60-day schedule last year.
Recommended
The film has six songs, all composed by Chaitan Bharadwaj. While three songs have already been released, the director adds that the other three are “situational songs that help the narrative of the film.”
Gade also reveals that work is currently on to complete the background score. “After that is done, the film will be complete within a day. The runtime is two hours and 20 minutes,” he says.
On choosing to release the film in theatres, Gade says, “All filmmakers want their movies to be watched on the big screen, especially when it is a debut film. Also, we have shot the songs and frames in a manner that calls for the immersive theatre experience.”
Asked if an OTT release is on the cards post the theatrical run, the filmmaker says the producers are yet to decide about it.