After Colour Photo, his directorial debut, became one of the most-critically acclaimed OTT releases of all time, director Sandeep Raj wrote a big-scale script. He pitched it to Ravi Teja. He also made active efforts to direct a heroine-centric movie fronted by Sai Pallavi. Eventually, his conviction to tell a commercial love story drove him to write Mowgli, an adventurous romantic drama. "In the battle between love and lust, a tribal man fights to save his deaf and mute girlfriend from a ruthless forest officer, unravelling cat and mouse drama within the heart of the forest," the film's synopsis goes.
Starring Sakshi Sagar Mhadolkar as the heroine, Mowgli heads to theatres on December 12th.
I designed the female lead's character that way to convey the message that love doesn't need language. Everyone will connect with the hero and heroine. In my opinion, the more innocent the hero is, the stronger he appears. This story has absolutely no connection to the Mowgli stories you have known as children and adolescents. The first half is lighter-veined and has a comedy streak.
Before writing the main part of the story, I penned the setting of Mowgli. In Colour Photo, the period backdrop makes the communication between the lead pair hard. In Mowgli, it's a jungle where communication networks are non-existent.
After seeing Roshan's look and his rawness in Bubblegum, I decided he would suit Mowgli. I was pleasantly surprised by the confidence and acting he displayed at just 21 years old. Roshan performed his character brilliantly. He has brought physicality to the character.
The antagonist is someone I like to pen. I write villains with greater focus. Bandi Saroj's character in Mowgli will shock everyone. I cast him after watching his YouTube releases. He is perfectly apt.
Mowgli will appeal to all sections of the audience. Sankranthiki Vasthunam was embraced by the audience in a big way because there is a paucity of entertainers. When I set out to make Mowgli, I was conscious of making a movie that you can watch with your family.
I cannot reveal the core message of the film right now. That is the biggest twist in our movie. By the end, you will feel an amazing experience. While showcasing all kinds of emotions, this movie will remain engaging. Ultimately, I will present a strong philosophy.
Colour Photo, which was made on a budget of Rs 1.5 crore, did wonders. I focus on how brilliantly I can execute a film within the given budget. I believe I made Mowgli wonderfully within the planned budget.
There are five songs (composed by Kaala Bhairava) in Mowgli. I conceived them to showcase all five elements. The first schedule was done tightly. Later on, we were given the liberty to carry out things at our own pace. I must thank producer TG Vishwa Prasad garu for this. People Media Factory is currently producing big-budget films. I am happy to be associated with a banner like it at this juncture.
