Ashok Galla and Manasa Varanasi are set to play the lead roles in Devaki Nandana Vasudeva. Ahead of its release, director Arjun Jandyala discusses the film, comparisions with Mahesh Babu’s Murari and the challenges he faced during its making.
Superstar Mahesh Babu’s nephew Ashok Galla returns to the big screen with his second film, Devaki Nandana Vasudeva, directed by Arjun Jandyala of Guna 369 fame. Scheduled for release on November 22, the film has already created buzz, especially after the launch of its intriguing trailer, which hints at a mythological touch.
When asked about the apparent trend of mythological themes in Tollywood, Arjun Jandyala clarified, “It’s not about following a trend. Prashanth Varma gave this story before his film HanuMan was released. Initially, I was supposed to work on a film for producer Balakrishna, but during that time, Prashanth Varma also narrated this story to Ashok Galla. Ashok liked it and we decided to proceed with this project first.”
Jandyala further explained that Prashanth Varma was impressed by his debut film Guna 369 and had trusted him to direct this story. “We understand each other well, and that synergy helped bring the story to life beautifully,” he shared.
Regarding the film’s mythology-inspired backdrop, he elaborated, “The trailer clearly indicates references to Krishna and Kamsa from ancient mythology. For instance, the villain’s death being foretold to occur at the hands of his sister’s third son is just one element. However, the movie has many surprises in store for the audience.”
Reflecting on the four-year gap since his first film, Guna 369 (2019), he attributed it to external factors. “The pandemic caused delays for everyone. I’ve been working on this project for the past year and a half, so it’s not really a gap as much as a dedicated focus on making this film.”
He also revealed making a few changes to the original story provided by Prashanth Varma. “I had some ideas and discussed them with Prashanth, who supported and agreed to the changes. He was pleasantly surprised when he saw the final film.”
One of the movie’s standout features is a special idol of Lord Krishna integral to the story. “The idol’s connection to the narrative is crucial and the sequence featuring it is sure to be a highlight,” said Jandyala. While visual effects play a role, he assured that they are natural and do not overpower the storytelling.
After the trailer’s release, comparisons were drawn to Mahesh Babu’s classic Murari. Jandyala addressed this, saying, “Although both films involve supernatural elements, the concepts and stories are entirely different. In Devaki Nandana Vasudeva, the protagonist faces life-threatening obstacles and how he overcomes them is the crux of the narrative. The story seamlessly blends action, emotion and commercial elements.”
The film was shot in Vizianagaram near Visakhapatnam, a choice driven by the story’s requirements. “There is a specific temple in Vizianagaram that provides the perfect backdrop and a fresh visual experience for the audience,” he explained.
Miss India Manasa Varanasi makes her debut in this film as the female lead. Jandyala praised her performance, saying, “Her role is pivotal and she has portrayed a strong character with perfection. She was the ideal choice for the role.” The filmmaker admitted that working on a story provided by a successful director like Prashanth Varma was a challenge. “It was a huge responsibility, but I took it as a challenge and worked hard to ensure the film’s success,” he concluded confidently.
