In his pre-release interviews, producer Dil Raju has emphasized on the word 'experience' while talking about Thammudu. He has projected the film as a theatre-worthy movie. In the making for 150 working days, Thammudu is among the highest-budgeted projects under Sri Venkateswara Creations.
Ahead of the release of Thammudu on July 4, Dil Raju talks about the movie, his equations with director Venu Sriram, his rapport with Nithiin, his upcoming projects, and more.
The title Thammudu is a derivative of the storyline. Obviously, it's a brother-sister story. But the treatment is entirely novel. Action-wise, it is an experience. The Censor Board members appreciated us. They suggested some cuts so U/A can be given. But we didn't want to go for cuts. 'A' rating is because of the violence. There are five or six action blocks.
The story takes place over a single night. The night-time starts twenty minutes into the film and ends only in the climax. Films like Karthi's Kaithi and Virupaksha were atmospheric. Thammudu is atmospheric and unfolds in a certain mood. Thammudu has a wow factor.
After the pandemic, the audience's tastes have undergone a shift. They want either an out-and-out entertainer like Sankranthiki Vasthunam or an event film like Kalki 2898 AD, KGF, Pushpa or RRR. When Venu Sriram narrated the story, he told me his aim was to deliver a theatrical experience. I gave him a go-ahead. This is more of a screenplay movie rather than a story movie. We are expecting positivity right from FDFS on Friday morning.
Thammudu will stream on Netflix in its post-theatrical digital release. As for holding early premieres in the Telugu States, I will have to take a call after duly considering several factors, including permissions.
Venu Sriram has changed his style. Thammudu is different from MCA and Vakeel Saab, his previous movies. Both Nithiin and Venu Sriram prioritized production costs and postponed their remunerations. He is one of the directors who has been associated with SVC for more than two decades. He has been with me because we share creative agreements and a wavelength. I trust him the way I trust Anil Ravipudi, Harish Shankar and Vamsi Paidipally.
In a recent chit-chat, I honestly told Nithiin that he hasn't gone ahead in life as much as I had expected him to twenty years back. There is nothing negative in it. I share that rapport with Nithiin.
Piracy has been a thorn in the flesh. Efforts have been consistently on to remove it. Recently, four individuals were arrested.
Dil Raju Dreams has been kicked off. We have shortlisted 1,400 applications from a total 12,000 received on the day of the website's launch. We are collaborating with companies that have shown interest in producing movies. Two companies have been finalized after duly vetting their history. Two or three movies under DRD will be released.
By 2027, we will be releasing about ten movies. Four of them will be released in 2026. These are Rowdy Janardhana, Yellamma, Dedthadi, and another one.
Besides a project each with Anil Ravipudi and Marco maker Hanif Adani, we have cemented movies to be directed by two debutants.
