Filmmaker V Jayashankarr of 'Paper Boy' (2018) fame is ready with 'Ari', a human drama featuring Anasuya Bharadwaj, Sai Kumar, Srikanth Iyengar, Viva Harsha, Srinivas Reddy, Chammak Chandra, Subhalekha Sudhakar, and others. The different characters represent the different enemies of the mind as per Hindu theology: Desire, anger, greed, ego, attachment, and partiality.
Ahead of 'Ari', whose song 'Krishna Tatvam' was recently released to critical acclaim (the song is sung by Mangli), the director has made it clear that he wants to tell stories that matter. Coming from an Engineering background, he regards himself as a story-teller. "I started out as a writer. I exercised my mind by reading a lot of fiction for many years. And, even while pursuing Engineering, I made trials (in the film industry). I worked as a software developer at an MNC in Hyderabad after my graduation. Later, I did six short films with the support of my friends and family before turning into a feature film director," the director says. The short films made Jayashankarr earn the image of someone who thinks along novel lines.
As a story-teller, Jayashankarr believes in the power of making the viewer think. He wants to narrate subjects that are thought-provoking and soulful. "I have been an avid reader since childhood, especially novels and those with literary flourishes. That's what made me want to become a filmmaker," he says.
A self-trained director, he believes in originality and developing his own voice as a filmmaker. "I did try to become an assistant director. But doors were shut on me, unfortunately. I chose short films as an avenue to prove myself. I believe in being unique and carving my own niche," he adds.
'Ari' will lock its release date soon. The film has music by Anup Rubens.
