Young actor Vikranth is all set to entertain audiences with his upcoming film Santhana Prapthirasthu. Chandini Chowdary is the female lead. The movie is produced by Madhura Sreedhar Reddy and Nirvi Hariprasad Reddy under the banners of Madhura Entertainment and Nirvi Arts, with Sanjeev Reddy directing it. Ahead of the release tomorrow, Vikranth interacted with the media, and here’s the transcript.
Tell us about yourself
I am from Vijayawada. I’ve loved movies since childhood. Whenever elders went to watch a film, I used to go with them. Later, I completed my studies and pursued a career in software. I even worked in the U.S., where I used to watch even more movies than I did here. During the COVID period, I returned to India, thinking the pandemic would last only three months – but it stretched into two years. My family started pressuring me about my career. Amid all that, I did a movie called Spark, which turned out to be a bitter experience for me. After that, I took a short break and honed my acting skills through theatre.
How did Santhana Prapthirasthu happen?
One day, I met Sridhar Garu, and he sent me the script for Santhana Prapthirasthu. The story revolves around a hero who suffers from low sperm count. Initially, I was unsure if such a subject would connect with Telugu audiences. But after reading the entire script, I realized it was written very tastefully without crossing any lines or including any vulgarity. It’s a story that people of all age groups can comfortably watch. Newcomers like us should take these kinds of creative risks.
Do you think films like these work?
After COVID, audiences have become more open to world cinema. They now appreciate new genres and fresh storytelling. For a new actor like me, doing routine commercial films won’t work. I wanted to do something different yet relatable. Santhana Prapthirasthu addresses the sensitive issue of infertility, blending it with entertainment.
Will the movie show the issue in a satirical manner?
A survey says three out of every ten couples face this issue. Those people will strongly connect with this movie. We haven’t mocked or ridiculed anyone dealing with infertility. We’ve designed the entertainment around the theme in a sensitive way. So, no one will feel offended. In fact, people suffering from infertility will walk out with a sense of hope after watching the film.
Are there any portions that people might not feel comfortable with?
All the songs and comedy in the movie are organically woven into the story; nothing feels forced. Even the censor board appreciated our work and granted us a U/A certificate, which shows how sensitively director Sanjeev dealt with the subject. We’ve already screened a few premieres, and the audience response has been heartwarming. Many said they hadn’t seen such a wholesome family entertainer in recent times, which made me really happy.
Tell us about your future projects.
After Santhana Prapthirasthu, I’ll again be working with Sreedhar Garu and Sanjeev Reddy on a film titled Sarpanch, set in a rural backdrop. It will also deal with certain social issues, but the treatment will be in an entertainment zone. I’m also developing another socio-fantasy subject titled Mrityunjaya Markandeya.