REWIND 2014: Newcomers Called the Shots

Calling the shots is a new job for any director when it comes to his first film. In 2014, few directors proved that they got chances very late but their content is more powerful than their cutouts. Some proven writers, actors, assistant directors and senior co-director have turned to carving out a full-pledged flick on their own and scored brownies. As their films gave goose-bumps to Telugu audiences, gulte.com brings you the best five of those debutant directors here.

Sujith is well known youngster on YouTube circles as his short films are rage among youths. Under the banner ‘Sujith Sign Films’, he made some awesome, rib tickling, rich short films which have opened him way into feature films. Being a LV Prasad Film School student, Sujith found his producers fast as he geared up to direct ‘Alias Janaki’. But he dropped from the movie mid-way and finally made his debut with Sharwanand’s ‘Run Raja Run’. Peppy narration, slapstick comedy and rib-tickling scenes are the prime assets of this young chap. The flick has done remarkably well at box office leaving profits in the pockets of producers and buyers.

Known for his comic timing and taller look, Srinivas Avasarala is always seen as actor by Tollywood until he showcased his skills with ‘Oohalu Gusagusalade’. As this foreign educated filmmaking student crafted a wonderful romantic script that focused more on pure ‘Telugish’ romance than commercial masala content, multiplex audiences liked his work immensely. Despite being a debut director, Srinivas picked two debutants, Naga Shourya and Rashi Khanna for his first film and yet delivered a stunning output. He is here to stay.

KS Ravindra aka Bobby is well known among film circles for being a writer as he got associated with so many leading directors. After working with Raviteja on a couple of films including Don Seenu and Balupu, Ravindra impressed him with the storyline of ‘Power’. The movie hasn’t excited B & C centre audiences as there are no big hair raising moments inside, but still Ravindra’s abilities to handle huge star-cast, big budget and content creation are highly praised. As the film has done moderately well at box office, this debutant went on grabbing chance to direct Pawan Kalyan’s Gabbar Singh 2.

Trikoti is well known for his association with ace director SS Rajamouli, not until Jakkanna himself revealed that Trikoti is his senior. Chance has come quite late as it took nearly 15 years for him to become a director. Expressing a big thanks to Rajamouli for helping him in all ways, Trikoti daringly carved a stunning family subject ‘Dikkulu Choodaku Ramayya’, which it deals with love story of a father and son, played by Ajay and Naga Shourya, who fall for the some girl. Very balanced handling of this sensitive subject received applause for the director from all quarters. Such filmmakers are needed to improvise Telugu Industry’s take at intelligent scripts.

For every mass-masala director there comes one intelligent science-fiction guy. Here comes Chandu Mondeti, who mixed science and god through his intense thriller ‘Karthikeya’ that revolves around re-opening a closed temple. As the movie progresses scene by scene, the gripping narrative and sheer brilliance of director can be felt every second. That made this Nikhil and Swathi starrer a runaway hit at box office, as buyers have increased theatres from second week. Probably if Telugu movie lovers are looking at science-fiction then Chandu is the director to watch out.