Krish Jagarlamudi: ‘Konda Polam’ is a transformative story in the jungles

telugu novels konda poleami Written by Sannapureddy Venkatarami Reddy (which translates to forest grazing) describes the adventures of shepherds who go to a mountainous forest area to feed their cattle. Director Krish Jagarlamudi’s Telugu film based on the book, is a coming-of-age story of a boy from the shepherd community, who studies B.Tech and is unable to get a corporate job and life lessons from the jungles to fight poachers. learns. The Vaishnav Tej and Rakul Preet Singh starrer all set for theatrical release on October 8, opens up on what the director has gone through in producing it.

Read also | Get ‘First Day First Show’ our weekly newsletter from the world of cinema delivered to your inbox. You can subscribe for free here

Edited excerpt from interview:

konda poleami Its tagline is ‘an epic story of becoming’. Most of your films have been ambitious and massive, haven’t they?

I can’t do regular love stories or revenge dramas. I yearn for a new chapter with every film. my early movies Gammam (2008) and Vedam (2010) Short films were not written, although we worked on a limited budget. When I write or adapt a story, I don’t limit my imagination. The soul of the story is important; If the character evolves over the course of an epic journey, so be it. glass (2015) was established during World War II and Gautamiputra Satakarni (2017) was a historical drama, which required a big budget. my next, Hari Har Veera Mallu Along with Pawan Kalyan, established in the 17th century during the Mughal rule.

Theatre, literature and history have influenced your films. Can you remember your earliest memories of being drawn to literature?

I grew up in a large family of about 30 members, which includes six uncles and aunts. My grandfather instilled in me the habit of reading. At an impressionable age, we learn from our elders, which is more than we can get from any personality development or self-help books. Whatever I have learned from my elders has put me in a good position.

when did you read the novel konda poleami?

Director Sukumar introduced me to the book during the pandemic. I liked the book, and bought copies and gifted them to Pawan Kalyan, Balakrishna and a few other friends. I knew someday I might make it into a movie, but I didn’t think I’d do it so soon. The story kept coming back to me and when I gave the idea to Pawan Kalyan, he kindly asked me to do this film first and then Hari Har Veera Mallu. he was filming for lawyer saab those days. This was also the time when civil services results were declared and I thought it would be interesting to develop konda poleami In the story of a shepherd becoming a forest officer. I also wanted to include a beautiful love story in it. I bought the rights and approached Sannapureddy to write the script.

love story There is also a character choosing a different path after studying B.Tech. Is it a reflection of the present time?

There are many of us in the industry who studied engineering and turned to cinema. Blessed are those who can do what they are passionate about. i will describe konda poleami As the journey of a man who stops chasing the herd and becomes a shepherd. He studies B.Tech as everyone else is doing it. Her low self-esteem and lack of English make it difficult for her to get a job. He finds his true calling in the jungles.

Not many people knew about this film before you released the first look a few months back. Were many parts already filmed?

Krish Jagarlamudi and cinematographer Gyanasekhar VS

Yes, we wanted to keep it that way. Though the story of the book is set in Nallamala, it was difficult to get permission during the pandemic and we shot in Vikarabad. About 80 of us were in the bio bubble. We went into the forest with 1,000 sheep and their shepherds. Deep in the forests, in the villages we may not have water and other essential things for all of us. So we took everything with us, followed protocol and kept the weather conditions in mind while filming with the sheep. Other animals were created with visual effects. We had also requested for permission to film in Goa, but since they were in the jungle tiger zone, it was not possible to take the sheep. At the end of the 40-45 days program, we learned some of the techniques used by the shepherds and also began to identify the sheep.

What went into the casting?

I wanted someone new as a hero. Vaishnav came to see Tej in the song.Ni Kannu Neeli Samudram From uppen Long before the film’s release. I loved the intensity in his eyes and thought that would be appropriate. He has the passion to learn. We wanted a veteran leading lady and cinematographer Gyanasekhar VS to suggest Rakul. While narrating the story to her, I was sure that I had found Obulamma (her character). Rakul is smart and quick to understand.

The film is already garnering attention for its visuals and music. What went into the plan?

We wanted a visual palette inspired by nature. As we move from drier to greener pastures, you’ll see a variety of warm browns and greens. Nature is a great canvas and each day was an exciting experience. Gyanasekhar captured it beautifully. Musically, I would say that if I made a good film, MM Keerwani turned it into a great film. I was thrilled to see him work. During a re-recording, the process of choosing where to start the music is called spotting. He has the ability to identify the right time. After the release, we are planning to release the OST.