HomeInterviewsExclusive : Balaji Sayyapu Reddy Interview

Exclusive : Balaji Sayyapu Reddy Interview

In another ten days from now, Balaji Sayyapu Reddy’s dream will turn into reality. It is every director’s dream to see his debut film in the theatre and now that the pandemic is on the decline, there is hope of the audiences returning to the halls for entertainment. Director Balaji Sayyapu Reddy is an MBA graduate. He hails from Ramannapalem, near Palakollu in West Godavari district. He reminisces, “I would watch many films as a child and after my graduation, I moved to Hyderabad and stayed at my aunt’s house and was simultaneously doing trials to secure a place in the film industry. I was doing MBA and also whenever there was time I would move around and do networking with film people. The intention was to actually seek admission in film school but I was advised against it. I had firm faith that practical knowledge would be more helpful than theoretical studies. Once we know what direction is, writing comes to us automatically. I was luckily recommended to a production house. Dwaraka was the first film in which I worked. It had Vijay Devarakonda who played the lead, he too was in the early stages of his career and I knew him before he did Yevade Subramanyam. I also worked with him in Taxiwallah and kept meeting him on and off. I worked as an apprentice in all these films and by then I finished my studies.”

Balaji Sayyapu Reddy Interview Image

Balaji focused on writing after having worked in the direction department. He then took a break, he has already been here in the film industry for six years now. The wannabe director wanted to tell a story and thought the knowledge he acquired in the direction department as a co director was enough. He thought he would lose his sensibility if he continued working that way and plunged into writing stories. He shares, “Sebastian has a different screenplay, the structure varies. It has a lot of non linear structure and every character has a dark shade and also is in tune with Telugu cinema lovers. Even people from a rural background will also relate to it and will be thoroughly entertained. I have written two stories but I like this best because of the character of Sebastian. I was acquainted with a person during my youth and that person is a Christian and suffers from night blindness. Before he knew what he was into, he secured a job as a constable. My father sent me to the recruitment of constable posts but I never showed interest. Nevertheless, I was a witness to their lives from proximity. Telugu cinema perspective of police is different, they view them as serious characters but Sebastian is different. I have used a lot of personal anecdotes and events that happened in the lives of near and dear. There is a small philosophy not exactly a direct message.”

Balaji Sayyapu Reddy Interview

He adds, “I want to see and like seeing films on the big screen, it is a great experience. A hero looks small on television, he is known as a hero because of his bigness on the screen. Be it the background score, sound, stature of the character..whatever he says and does injects a great feeling into the audience. You won’t get the sound quality and mixing in OTT platforms, the two hour experience of seeing a story coming alive on 70 mm is a different feeling. I always watched English films in Hyderabad, and would go all the way to just get the experience. I wouldnt understand the language but I’d thoroughly immerse myself in the experience. Night blindness is not a new concept, Brhmanandam and other people did it but a hero hasn’t portrayed the character completely. Here Sebastian is a confident guy in the mornings and he is a snake as dusk sets in. He is a constable, he can’t protect himself but has a job of protecting the society and therein lies the conflict and that is when the entertainment factor shows up.” He states Kiran Abbavaram is a good choice for Sebastian. He didn’t choose him, the story selected him. The film was shot in Madanapalle in 30 days in a single schedule. Niveksha and Komalee Prasad are the heroines. Sebastian PC 524 is the hero’s identity and the film’s title too.

Balaji Sayyapu Reddy Interview Image 1

The film is a 32 days schedule and the entire cast is new except for Kiran Abbavaram. Balaji cites that there were regular production issues but the hero’s brother made sure everything went smoothly. The equipment and people’s problems were imminent but Kiran’s brother ensured it finished on time. It is unfortunate that he passed away during the shoot and this film is a tribute to him. The cast and crew got stuck, confused not knowing what to do for a few days but they gathered the threads and were on their feet soony. Balaji heaps praise on the protagonist, “Kiran is a dedicated actor. He shouldnt blink while the camera is on and to make sure the eyes absorb the light, he would not blink even while 90 KB light was falling on him. Tears would roll down and it would be a strain on his eyes but he accomplished the work without complaints. We would sleep only two hours a day to complete this on time and our efforts will pay off for sure. People will connect to it instantly. Film is releasing on Feb 25th.”

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