It is very difficult to make a film on your own terms. Courage and conviction are needed in abundance to come up movie without compromise.
Shekar Kammula has that. We saw that through his Anand, which was one of the surprises in 2004.
Anand was certainly the not the most radical of films. But why this simple story starring Raja and Kamalini clicked because it kept everything straightforward.
There was no attempt at deceiving the audience. A simple and cute love story was told in a simple manner. The element of drama was not artificially induced.
It showed that Shekar Kammula had it in him to make agreeable mainstream movies that are not over the top.
It is that quality that makes everyone wait in anticipation for his next Godavari.
The movie, starring Sumanth and Kamalini, is one of the main attractions this summer.
The director, who waited till the monsoon season to get some of the scenes he had in mind, is now almost through with the movie.
Sans a couple of songs, the entire shoot seems to be over and the movie will certainly release in April.
With music by the talented Radhakrishna, the songs carry good reports (audio is set for release this month).
On the whole, Shekar Kammula is happy that the movie has come out well.
Now it will be up to us to judge whether Shekar has stood steadfast to his ideals or succumbed the commercial pressures.