Director Shiva Nirvana on Kushi: It was our duty to support someone as professional as Samantha

Director Shiva Nirvana, who tasted success with both his theatrical releases - Ninnu Kori and Majili - faces the biggest test of his career when his drama Kushi will release to audiences across five languages on September 1. The Vijay Deverakonda, Samantha starrer touches upon a sensitive topic between a couple that everyone will resonate with, the filmmaker’s confident.

In a chat with OTTplay.com, he talks about the film, the backstory, the backdrop, the delays and more.

So, Kushi is all set for release after a long wait…

We finally sent the first copy to domestic and international markets; the team is happy with the final result and I’m relieved. There are many films that discuss problems before and after marriage. We’ve addressed a unique aspect to relationships as entertainingly as possible (which wasn’t discussed in the trailer). When we tell that story through stars Vijay and Samantha, the reach will be immense.

The story before Kushi went on floors…

I narrated this story to Vijay after Dear Comrade. Both my protagonists in Ninnu Kori, Majili were jolted lovers. Here, Viplav is a fun-loving guy, similar to me in real life. I wanted the treatment to be energetic and spirited and convey a beautiful emotion. Sarada was one of the titles we considered. When we came up with the idea to release it in multiple languages, we needed the same title for other versions and chose Kushi.

Also read: Revealed: Runtime of Vijay Deverakonda, Samantha starrer Kushi, censor report 

Setting the story in Kashmir…

I had just finished writing the second half and wanted to offer something new to audiences visually in the initial portions. I think of journalists, audiences and my wife when I write a story. It would’ve been too cliched for the characters to have met at a college and married later. I wanted them to meet at an unusual place, create scope for some fun (like the ‘begum’ reference). You’ll find that in the Kashmir backdrop and the scenes where Viplav and Aradhya interact.

Roping in Hesham Abdul Wahab, writing lyrics and promoting the music…

I thought a new composer would do justice to a love story. I had just heard Darshana from Hridayam and spoke to Hesham. We vibed well, I suggested his name to Vijay and he came on board. I was very nervous before the music sittings. He was new to the industry and I had two hit albums before (Majili and Ninnu Kori) - we had to deliver.

Previously, when I wrote lyrics for a few songs in my other films, I used to give a few rough lines of the song to Gopi Sundar for him to tune it accordingly. Similarly, when I and Hesham worked together, we finished writing and recording Naa Roja Nuvve within a day (which may have taken over a week with a regular lyricist). We got the team to listen to the recording and they loved it.

Hesham felt that the process was very organic and this continued with every song. With the promotions, I and Vijay are aware of how pre-release events generally pan out and we wanted the music to make noise much before. Roja was on our mind - it was a musical hit in all languages it was dubbed. It was Vijay’s idea to organise a music concert.

On the delays in the filming and Samantha’s illness..

We start the shoot last April and planned to complete the film in four months. The first schedule went peacefully and we were two months away from completion. When Samantha was detected with myositis, she planned to return quickly. She is a thorough professional on sets and it was our basic duty to support her. The script wasn’t altered later. The film is no way related to her real life.

On his love for Mani Ratnam and the former’s influence on his films

I was a big fan of Mani Ratnam’s Bombay and even tried to get an appointment to meet him (but couldn’t). I may be inspired by him but I want a film to impress Telugu audience first. The reason why I like SS Rajamouli is that he thinks for our crowds and makes it with such finesse that’ll impress international audiences too. My film is an after-marriage story - there are only handful of films with such a plot. I have made three of them; so comparisons with Mani Ratnam’s films like Mounaragam, Sakhi are inevitable.

Other trivia…

I only feel happy when my story goes to a new market, Ved, the remake of Majili, made such good money in the Marathi version. I haven’t thought remaking a film yet. I’ll announce my next film after the release of Kushi.

Also read: Shiva Nirvana: Vijay Deverakonda, Samantha are my diamonds who made Kushi possible