Director Shanmukha Prasanth: Writer Padmabhushan is an entertainer inspired by my middle-class upbringing

Suhas, Tina Shilparaj and Gouri Priya are coming together for a hilarious family entertainer Writer Padmabhushan, written and directed by a first-time filmmaker Shanmukha Prasanth. The latter isn’t alien to the tinsel town; he not only co-wrote Suhas’ dark comedy Family Drama but also assisted Sandeep Raj for the national-award-winning film Colour Photo. As Writer Padmabhushan gears up for a release on February 3, he spoke of his tryst with cinema and about the project in a media interaction.

Early days in the industry

I was born and brought up in Vijayawada, completed my graduation there and landed in Hyderabad. While I was a film enthusiast right in my B.Tech days, I sought opportunities in the industry after coming to Hyderabad and didn’t inform about it to my parents. I worked as a writer under many eminent names; they appreciated me but never paid me. Having known Suhas from his short film days and working with him for Family Drama and Colour Photo, I consider myself lucky to have him as a lead for my directorial debut too.

Inspired by real-life incidents

Having grown up in a middle class family, it’s natural for you all to recognise these touches in the setup of Writer Padmabhushan. This is a family entertainer, but minus the melodrama or the fuss around joint families and weddings. This is a relatable story with an element of mischief. The idea was born out of the desire to tell an out of the box story. Suhas plays a librarian in the film and I assure, it’ll be a refreshing experience for viewers. The story is its USP.

The idea of a ‘writer’ as a protagonist

In my view, the writer is the most important person in any work of art. Regardless of the budget, any film begins with a writer’s story. Writer Padmabhushan is also one such writer’s journey. Well, is he a writer after all? You’ll know when you watch. Content is the soul of any film and it helps that viewers primarily expect a good story from an actor like Suhas. The story is about a Vijayawada boy with a loving family,a girlfriend and his ambitions. There’s a thriller angle to the plot too.

His love for comedy and a word on his cast, crew

I really enjoy comedy as a writer and viewer and I view it as my strength. Writer Padmabhushan has quality humour all along and I am a big fan of filmmakers like EVV Satyanarayana, Jandhyala and Srinu Vaitla. I couldn’t have imagined the film without Suhas; he’s such a dedicated actor who comes to sets on time and gives a filmmaker enough liberty to discuss a scene prior to shoot.

Ashish Vidyarthi, after Gudumba Shankar, Ala Modalaindi, will be seen in an important role and we’ve showcased a newer dimension to him in this film. Tina Shilparaj is an OTT star who needs no introduction at all and Gouri Priya has done a fine job too. Rohini, Goparaju Ramana too play important roles. Chai Bisket Films, Lahari Films supported me well through this journey and didn’t tinker with my vision. I promised to wrap up the film as per their budget and stayed true to my word.