Dr. B. Somaraju

Prof. B. Soma Raju, Cardiologist from Hyderabad has been providing dedicated service to the people for the last 20 years as Cardiologist, Researcher, Teacher and Philanthropist.

Born on the 25th September 1948, he studied at the Guntur Medical College in Andhra Pradesh from where he qualified for MD in 1974. He joined the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh in 1975 and obtained DM., in Cardiology in 1978.

Prof. B. Soma Raju returned to Andhra Pradesh in the same year and joined the State Government Service as an Asst. Prof. of Cardiology at Osmania Medical College. In 1984 he joined the Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences at Hyderabad as Additional Professor and left the Institute in 1993 as Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology and Dean. During his stay at the Institute he has built a department which is comparable to the best. A whole generation of Cardiologists has qualified under his training.

Prof. Soma Raju has published and presented over 120 papers in various National and International Journals and Forums. He has also authored a textbook on “Clinical Methods in Cardiology” He has to his credit, conducted the first PTCA in India and heads a team which has the distinction of performing the largest number of cardiac interventions in the country.

He has been involved in various research projects during the last 20 years individually, in collaboration with American Universities and the Defense Scientific Laboratories. The last association culminated in the development of India’s first Coronary Stent, which has been named the Kalam Raju Stent after Professor A.P.J Kalam and Dr. Raju. This stent was first implanted in December 1996 and since then has been used on over 500 patients. The development of the stent resulted in reducing the cost of stents in the country and brought it within the reach of the people. In October 1998 the second research product of Dr.Raju’s endeavor, India’s first Coronary Balloon Catheter was released. Dr. Raju and his team are working on various medical devices which are used in Interventional Cardiology with the aim of having an Indian alternative for most devises, reducing the cost and making treatment affordable by all.

Dr. Soma Raju has conducted numerous free medical camps in various parts of Andhra Pradesh and also set up the Department of Cardiology at the Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh and provided free professional service. Innumerable patients have benefited out of this service. The free service continues on a daily basis even today to poor patients at the CARE hospital.

Dr. Raju is presently Chairman and Chief of Cardiology at CARE Hospitals, The Heart Institute at Hyderabad.

RESEARCH PROJECTS
Randomized Study of Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty Vs Surgical Closed Mitral Commissurotomy – Immediate and long-term results.

Randomized Study of Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty Vs Surgical Closed Open Mitral Valvotomy – Immediate and long-term results.

(Both the above trials are conducted in collaboration with Dept. of Cardiology, Wayne State university, Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)

Dietary correlation’s with lipid profiles in patients with and without Coronary Artery Disease in Indian Population.

Phase-III Clinical Investigation of E.B.Sideri’s Button Device for Closure of Arterial Septal Defects and patent ductus arteriosus.(In collaboration with Prof.E.B.Sideri’s, University of Athens, Greece and University of Texas Tech.U.S.A.)

Indigenous development of Cardiovascular Catheters i.e.Diagnostic Catheters, Coronary Angioplasty Balloon Catheters Valvuloplasty Balloon Catheters in Collaboration with Defence Materials & Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur.

Indigenous development of external and implantable pacemakers in collaboration with Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.

Development of indigenous Coronary Stent in association with Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory Centre (DMRL), Hyderabad.

Development of PC based Cardiac Stress Test System in association with Defence Bio-Engineering & Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), Bangalore.
CITATION INDEX OF SIX BEST PAPERS PUBLISHED BY DR. B. SOMA RAJU

Percutaneous Balloon versus Surgical closed Commissurotomy for Mitral Stenosis- A prospective, randomized trial: Circulation, Vol 83, No.4, April 1991. PMID: 2013139

Percutaneous Balloon Valvuloplasty in Mirror-Image Dextrocardia and Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Diagnosis, October 1993. PMID: 8221866

Thrombolysis in left sided Prosthetic Valve Occlusion: Immediate and Follow-up results. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, August 1994.PMID: 8067850

Reyes V P, Raju B S, Wynne J, et al. Percutaneous Balloon Valvuloplasty compared with Open Surgical Commissurotomy for Mitral Stenosis. New England Journal of Medicine: 1994; 331: 961-7. PMID: 8084354

Clinical Evaluation of New Balloon Mountable Coil Stent: In-hospital and follow-up results. Indian Heart Journal 1998: 50:40-44.PMID: 9583285

Prospective Observational Study of Primary Angioplasty of the Infarct Related Artery for Acute Myocardial Infarction. Indian Heart Journal 1999: 51: 167-72.PMID: 1040754

AWARDS AND HONORS

Honored by Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences on National science Day 1997.

Asian Innovation Award in 1998 by The Far Eastern Economic Review.

Andreas Gruentzig Memorial Award – 1998.

Conferred the 8th Yudhvir memorial award by the Yudhvir foundation for outstanding contribution to cardiac Medicare.

“Padma Shri” by Govt. of India – 2001.

Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences-2002.

Madhavi Dandu, MD, MPH

Title Associate Professor of Clinical
School UCSF School of Medicine
Department Medicine
Address 533 Parnassus Ave, UC Hall
San Francisco CA 94143
Phone 415-476-4824
Email dandum@medicine.ucsf.edu

Education & Training
Dr. Dandu is an Associate Professor of Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree in Comparative Literature and medical degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She completed her residency training in the Categorical Medicine Program at UCSF in 2003. Afterwards, Dr. Dandu attended the University of California, Berkeley and received a Masters in Public Health with a focus on international health and health and human rights.

Prior to returning to UCSF, Dr. Dandu spent two years back at the University of Michigan with the Department of Medicine in the hospitalist group providing inpatient clinical care to patients and teaching residents and medical students. At UCSF, Dr. Dandu spends time on the inpatient clinical and neurosurgical consult services supervising and teaching medical students and residents.

Her main nonclinical areas of focus are in global health education, curriculum development, and mentorship. She is Interim Director of the MS in Global Health, a one-year program designed for students or practitioners in a health science profession or related field who wish to achieve mastery and leadership skills in the field of global health. Additionally, she is Associate Director of the Pathways to Discovery Program in Global Health, a cross-University program designed to prepare UCSF undergraduate and graduate trainees to be successful in global health careers. Finally, she directs the Global Health Pathway/Area of Distinction for the Internal Medicine Residency. In this capacity she coordinates international experiences of residents, assists with their scholarly projects, and provides curriculum for those committed to careers in global health.

Gottumukkala S. Raju, M.D. FACG, FASGE

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepat,& Nutr, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Bio Statement

I am passionate about colon cancer prevention. It is truly a great privilege to collaborate with several outstanding clinicians, scientists, and educators to provide Comprehensive Colon Cancer Prevention Service.

Please watch these videos to learn about the following topics (Received National Health Information Award, 2011):

1. About colonoscopy

2. Prepare for a colonoscopy

3. After colonoscopy

YOUTUBE education channel dedicated for COLON CANCER PREVENTION

Appreciate your time surfing my facebook and ENDOSCOPIST.

Research Interests

Our laboratory developed endoscopic techniques for closure of colon perforations and colon resections at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. We are trying to develop techniques to take care of patients referred to us with benign polyps that are tethered to the colon wall from previous resections to avoid surgery. Watch this recording of institutional grandrounds on colon perforation closure by G.S.Raju. Please click here to see it. The American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy featured a column on ask the expert on this subject.

At The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, we are applying the knowledge and technical skill garnered in endoscopic closure of perforations to remove large flat lesions in the colon without surgery using the endoscopic mucosal resection technique; in addition our team is developing a teaching video for the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy to help others learn and refine this technique. Please see this video on Endoscopic Closure of Colon Perforations.

My research profile can be accessed.

Our goal is to build the best colon cancer prevention program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Clinical Interests

My clinical research interests include colon cancer screening and prevention. Our group utilizes advanced techniques for resection of large and flat lesions that required surgery in the past. Using a comprehensive colonoscopy screening techniques, the adenoma detection rate, which is a surrogate marker of the quality of colonoscopy screening, is high at our center. You could look up our adenoma detection rates.

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1992 Royal College of Physicians, London, United Kingdom, MRCP, Medicine
1989 Delhi University, New Delhi, India, DM, Gastroenterology
1986 PGIMER, Chandigarh, India, MD, Internal Medicine
1982 Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, India, MBBS, Medicine

Postgraduate Training

7/1997-6/1998 Interventional Endoscopy, Beth Israel & Deaconess Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
7/1995-6/1997 GI Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA
7/1993-6/1995 Internal Medicine Residency, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Board Certifications

2005 Gastroenterology (ABIM) - Top 10 decile
Experience/Service

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

GI Fellowship Site Director, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepat,& Nutr, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 9/2011-present
Other Appointments/Responsibilities

Member of the ASGE Task Force on Assessment and Certification, ASGE, Chicago, IL, 1/2012-12/2013
Chair, Patient Education Video Production on Pancreatic Cancer, EUS and ERCP, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1/2011-12/2012
Member, Faculty Leadership, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1/2010-present
Editor, CME Section, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Chicago, IL, 1/2010-12/2014
Chair, Patient Education Video Production on Colon Cancer and Colonoscopy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1/2010-12/2010
Chair, Web Education Committee, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endosocpy, Chicago, 2010-2013
Co-Chair of Gastrointestinal Self Assessment Program (GESAP-VII), ASGE, Chicago, IL, 2010-2012
Co-Chairman of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Self-Assessment Program VI, ASGE, Galveston, TX, 2009-present
Planning Committee Member, Texas Society of Gastroenterology, Houston, TX, 2009-present
Managing Editor, Digital Atlas of Video Endoscopy (DAVE PROJECT), Boston, MA, 2009-present
Vice-Chairman of the Web-Education Committee, ASGE, Glaveston, TX, 2008-2010
Vice-Chairman, Web Education Committee, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Chicago, IL, 2007-present
Vice-Chairman of the Video Editing Course, ASGE, Galveston, TX, 2005-present
Member of the Postgraduate Education Committee, ASGE, Galveston, TX, 2002-present
Institutional Committee Activities

Strategic Planning Committee Member, Comprehensive Colon Cancer Prevention Center, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 2009-present

Honors and Awards

2013-present Chair, ASGE Educational Products Committee, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
2013-present Editor, Video GIE, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
2012-present Super Doctors, SuperDoctors.com
2012-2013 King of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - EndoFest, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
2012 33rd Annual Telly Award for the Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Story of Choices. Patient Education Video, The Telly Awards
2012 Co-Director - ASGE Postgraduate Course at the Annual ACG Meeting, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
2012 GOLD LEVEL AWARD in the Association TRENDS' 2012 All-Media Contest for the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Self Assessment Program (GESAP VII), the TRENDS ALL Media Contest
2011-present Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Marquis
2011 Health and Science Communications Association Award -"Colonoscopy & Colon Cancer Prevention" Patient Education Video, National Health Information Awards Judges
2011 MarCom Award - Gold Level Award for the Online Learning Center of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals
2011 National Health Information Award, National Health Information Award
2010 ASGE Audio Visual Award, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
2010 ASGE Audio-Visual Award for the production of an educational video "Endoscopic Management of GI Leaks", American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
2008-present Alfa Omega Alfa Society, AOA of the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
2007-present Fellow, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
2007-present Top Docs of America, Top Doctors of America
2006 Physician of the year honoree, Mardi Gras, Galveston, TX, Galveston, Texas
2004-present Best Doctors of America, Best Doctors of America
2004-present Fellow, Royal College of Physicians, UK
2002-present Fellow, American College of Gastroenterology
1993-1995 Best Graduating Resident of the Year in Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio,
1981 Vemuri Shivaji Rao Gold Medal in Medicine, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnum, India
1980-1981 Ranked first in Internal Medicine among 150 medical students, Andhra University, Visakhapatnum, India
1980-1981 Ranked second in Final MBBS among 150 medical students, Andhra University, Visakhapatnum, India
1980 Ranked second in Eye & ENT among 150 medical students, Andhra University, Visakhapatnum, India
1980 Sri Ramachandrula Hanumantha Rao & Rajya Lakshmi Merit Scholarship, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnum, India
1980 Tatachari Gold Medal in Pathology, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnum, India
1979-1980 Ranked first in Microbiology among 150 medical students, Andhra University, Visakhapatnum, India
1979-1980 Ranked first in Pathology among 150 medical students, Andhra University, Visakhapatnum, India
1979-1980 Ranked first in Second MBBS among 150 medical students, Andhra University, Visakhapatnum, India
1976-1977 Ranked first in Organic Chemistry among 150 medical students, Nagarjuna University, Guntur, AP, India
1976 Andhra Pradesh State Merit Scholarship- Top 1% of the candidates, Andhra Pradesh High School Board, Hyderabad, AP, India
Professional Memberships

American College of Gastroenterology
Fellow, 2002-present
American Soceity of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Fellow, 2007-present
American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Chicago
Chair, Web Education Committee, 2010-present
Royal College of Physicians, UK
Fellow, 2004-present

DR P KRISHNAM RAJU

1. Name : Dr P Krishnam Raju

2. Age : 59 Years

3. Qualification : MD., DM (Cardiology)

4. Year of Post DM experience : 30 Years

5. Trained at : MBBS : Guntur Medical College
MD : Guntur Medical College
DM : All India Institute of Medical Sciences,
New Delhi

Education
MBBS, MD from Guntur Medical College
DM from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
Practice Information of Dr.P. Krishnam Raju [Cardiologist]
Care Hospitals, Banjara Hills

Dr.Suryanarayana Raju

Dr.Suryanarayana Raju is a fellowship trained surgical oncologist from the prestigious Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences. Dr.Suryanarayana Raju is a native of Andhra Pradesh who attended Andhra University medical school in 1983 and M.S., KMC, Manipal, Mangalore University, Mangalore, 1988 is dedicated to serving the people of this community, and region. In order to provide the highest level of care, Dr.Suryanarayana Raju complete 8 years of additional surgical training after medical school and specializes in the surgical treatment of cancer patients. As a surgical oncologist, Dr.Suryanarayana Raju has unsurpassed surgical training regarding the critical and up-to-date surgical treatment of cancer and orchestrates the best timing of different additional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation if and when indicated. This comprehensive specialty care results in better outcomes when treating the most serious conditions.
Dr.Suryanarayana Raju is consistently recognized as one of Hyderabad’s favorite physicians and has been awarded many times by state and central governaments every year since starting practice. The significant milestone in a patient’s life such as complete remission of disease or cure; moments like this give us all strength. This type of care, delivered in this way, makes a difference that cannot be measured.
Dr.Suryanarayana Raju is a surgeon scientist and is an Professor and Head, Department of Surgical Oncology, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences as well as a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Dr.Suryanarayana Raju actively participates in clinical trials and through research can find solutions to currently unsolved cancer problems. Widely recognized as an expert in the field, Dr.Suryanarayana Raju serves as a reviewer for the most prestigious surgical journals and frequently participates in national and international cancer symposiums. All of the achievements and recognition mean nothing without result; it all comes down to providing the best care to you right now. It is only through combining this level of training and innovation with dedication, heart, commitment and passion that you can expect extraordinary results. These results provide opportunity for moments that matter most. When facing the challenge cancer presents in your life you need a person on your side like Dr.Suryanarayana Raju.

Dr. G. Suryanarayana Raju, M. S., M. Ch., FUICC., FRCS.
Professor and Head,
Department of Surgical Oncology
Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences
Hyderabad
Dr. G. Suryanarayana Raju, M. S., M. Ch., FUICC., FRCS.
Qualifications:
M.B., B.S, Andhra Medical College, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, 1983.
M.S., KMC, Manipal, Mangalore University, Mangalore, 1988.
M.Ch., Cancer Institute, Adyar, The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Madras, 1992.
FUICC, Fellow, International Union Against Cancer, 1996.
FRCS, Honorary Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2009

Administrative Experience:

Member, Governing Council, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, 2001-2004.
Executive Registrar, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, 2002.
Member, Academic Senate, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, 1996-2004.
Head, Department of Surgical Oncology, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, 1997.
Member, Committee, Project report for Upgradation of NIMS in lines of AIIMS.

Examiner:

M.B.,B.S.,
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka. 2007
M.S.,(General Surgery)
NIMS, , Hyderabad. 1995
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka. 2002-2005
BLDE University, Bijapur, Karnataka.
M.Ch., (Neuro Surg Part I)
NIMS, Hyderabad, 1996 -2004.
M.Ch., (Surgical Oncology)
The Tamilnadu Dr. M G R Medical University, Chennai. 1996-
2009.

AJAY VARMA

Ajay Varma has a multifaceted personality. He is an aeronautic engineer, entrepreneur, TV serial producer, filmmaker and now an actor. He is making his debut as actor with Neelakanta’s Nandanavanam 120 kms. Idlebrain.com catches up with this sophisticated man for chitchat -

Tell us about your background?
I was born in Hyderabad and did my preliminary education in Hyderabad. Then I moved into US. I did my graduation in Denver and then moved to New York. I did my graduation in Aeronautics Engineering. I spent 9 years in NY.

What did you want to become?
When I did Aeronautic Engineering, I wanted to be a flight engineer. By the time I finished my graduation, I decided to quit aviation. I joined my friends who are into IT field in 1997. We started a company.

When did you develop your interest in films?
I was always interested in films. I produced a TV serial called ‘Seeta Mahalakshmi’ in year 2000. This TV serial ran on Gemini TV for 390 episodes. It also won 11 Nandi awards which is a record so far. That was the only one program I did for television, as TV channel business was not in an organized state at that time. Though I got lot of appreciation, I lost huge money in that venture. I went to NY after that stint and wrote a few scripts. I also produced few short films.

I wrote one script I wanted to direct and I came back to Hyderabad. It is an experimental crossover feature film called ‘Animal’. I finished shooting and postproduction of the film and I was about to go back to Hyderabad when Neelakanta offered me the role of hero in Nandanavanam 120 kms.

Were you interested in acting?
I was so excited when I watched ‘Show’ film by Neelakanta. It is one of the best films I have seen. I told Neelakanta that I would like to act in his films if he were to continue making films like Show. Three years after show Neelakanta still had me in his mind and offered me this role in N120kms.

Tell us about your experimental film Animal?
Animal is 1.50 hrs experimental feature film. It deals with the end of humanity. My take was if humans evolved from animals because of necessities, the same necessities can push a human being into an animal. It was pretty much an apocalyptic look at humanity. I shot the entire film in Hyderabad in 22 days with in a budget of 5000 USD. This film has multiple languages like Telugu, English and Hindi. I let the characters talk in their own languages. I took two characters of a farmer turned thief and a prostitute in the city. The story follows how these people from being what they are pushed into doing as incredible as killing people. The characters of thief and prostitutes are played by Kavi and Sini respectively.

Animal is very raw in narration and it appeals only to the crossover audiences. I planned this film for film festival circuit. I am planning to tie up with an art house agency in NY. I can reach those art house agencies only through film festivals.

Tell us about N120kms?
It is a wonderfully woven drama which ends up being a thriller. Neelakanta is known for good drama in his films. I can classify this film as a dramatic thriller. It has tightly knit characters. There is so much depth in the subject and it is surprising that Neelakanta opted for fresh faces.

What are your observations on Neelakanta as a filmmaker?
There are certain things in Neelakanta that inspired me. Neelakanta has the unique way of exploiting the poetic realism – metaphysical relationships between two objects. He does excellent detailing of each character. I always admire Neelakanta because he is downright original. It is very difficult in this competitive industry for the filmmakers to be original. He is very simple in his narrative. There is an interesting elegance that flows in his scenes. Originality, simplicity and elegance are three things Neelakanta should be branded with.

You are an entrepreneur, filmmaker, TV serial producer and actor. Where do you see yourself in future?
The moment I became a filmmaker, I got myself rid of duties as entrepreneur and I decided to focus of my film Animal. I want to focus on films.

What exactly is acting in opinion?
I don’t know how I can describe acting. I don’t think I have acted in N120kms at all. Neelakanta has written the script so in detail that I did not need any reference for acting.

Are you considering any future acting projects?
I have been listening to few scripts. I will probably choose one to go with by end of this month.

Have you done any courses in filmmaking?
No. I had a big decision to make in the year 2000. That is to whether put 60000 USD for the film course in Tisch School of Arts, New York University or probably produce something in India. So I decided to go and produce TV serial in Hyderabad.

Tell us about your co-artist Manasa?
She is a student who is doing her film editing course. There is always a technical inclination in her approach. Like me, she also stumbled into acting by chance. She is a quick learner. She does catch things sometimes quicker than I could. She has got interesting ease in her acting which will take her to places.

What’s your immediate step after N120kms?
I am looking at a script to act in now. I am keeping my directorial ambitions under wraps for sometime.

RAMARAJU

Ramaraju’s passion for cinema is undying. He has gone through many professions and processes and came right back to the work he has aspired to do. That is to make a film - in a honest way with heart-touching content. He didn’t bother about economics, calculations, pulses of moviegoer and made a film ‘Mallela Theeramlo Sirimalle Puvvu’ the way he wanted to see. Mallela Theeram film is releasing on 6 July. Here are the excerpts of idlebrain.com exclusive interview with Ramaraju -

Background:
I am basically from Bhimavaram and just a graduate. After my graduation, I have prepared for civils exams. I had gone to the interview as well. Dr. S Rao has suggested that I can’t handle bureaucracy and asked me to explore in other fields. Ram Gopal Varma is a distant relative of me and I went and joined him in direction department and worked for films like Deyyam. RGV told me that the work of AD (assistant director) is more of a labor work and has very less creativity and script orientation attached to it. He asked me to concentrate on creativity and work on script. There was a gap after that.

Then I joined IT field and worked on Oracle database. I realized that it was not my cup of tea. I decided that I should discover myself and cinema should be a self-discovery for me. My life is more like discovering myself. Then I went back to cinema and joined the team of Nivas for Shool film. Anurag Kashyap is also a part of Shool team. I bonded well with Anurag and worked with him for films like Black Friday, Paanch etc. Then there was a mysterious gap.

After making a name for himself in Bollywood as a director with different vision, Anurag Kashyap suggested that I should make a small film in Telugu with different and niche content and make them commercially appealing. Makes film that connect well with moviegoers and at the same time, they should also be contenders at film festivals. That’s a trend started by Anurag Kashyap in Bollywood and it worked tremendously well for him. Mallela Theeram is such an attempt to make a honest and decent film without looking at what people like in a film. There are no calculations in Mallela Theeram, I just kept my heart’s content.

What’s the content of Mallela Theeramlo Sirimalle Puvvu?
Mallela Theeramlo Sirimalle Puvvu is nothing but my reflections. Love can happen at any point of time. Most of our films end the moment the lead pair gets married. But story of Mallela Theeram deals with after marriage. This film is narrated from woman’s point of view who has dignity and voice. She wants to fall in love with her husband after the arranged marriage. It’s about she exploring another option when she finds her husband to be materialistic and unreciprocated to love.

What’s the economics of the movie?
We have shot the film using Red MX camera and the budget is under one crore.

You made an honest film. Getting people to watch it is very difficult for such films?
Yes. I must thank my friends in media for going out of their way to promote the film. Mallela Theeram is the love of labor for many people.

I always believe that ‘commerciality=connectivity’. Irrespective of the genre of the film, connectivity drives the economics. I must thank Sekhar Kammula who offered to buy the film and promote it as he has gone through similar struggles when he had to release Anand film. He watched the film twice as it made him nostalgic. He arranged a special screening for himself by paying theater rent at Prasad labs preview theater.

You look like a honest guy with integrity. How did you end up joining Ram Gopal Varma?
Ram Gopal Varma is a distant relative and he is the only connection to film industry for me. But personally I am not a fan of Ram Gopal Varma. You will be surprised if I say that I hated Shiva film. But I like Ram Gopal Varma as a businessman. My most favorite director is Balachandar. You can see integrity in the characters of Balachandar’s film. I tried bringing such integrity in Mallela Theeram film. I like Bapu films to certain extent like Muthyala Muggu, Gorantha Deepam and Vamsavruksham. I have a lot of respect for K Viswanath.

What is your next film?
I want to make a true romance film with a unique flavor.