Telugu director Chandra Sekhar Yeleti returns with a trilingual film that features Malayalam actor Mohan Lal and Gauthami in the lead. The duo return to share screen together after working together earlier in two films, namely His Highness Abdullah (Malayalam) and Iruvar (Tamil).
Yeleti’s upcoming film titled Vismayam (Malayalam), Namadhu (Tamil) and Manamantha (Telugu) dwells on the roller coaster ride of emotions as four individuals find their lives intertwined.
Yeleti says this is a story of simple emotions and how each one of the four characters react to a situation. “The way a schoolgirl would react is different from an adult,” adds Yeleti who has written the story.
“The lives of these four individuals meet at a point.”
Mohan Lal plays Sairam, an assistant manager at a supermarket while Gauthami plays Gayatri, a homemaker. Viswant Duddumpudi plays Abhiram, an engineering student while newcomer Raina Rao plays Mahithi, a school student.
The supporting cast includes an interesting mix of actors from three languages. Malayalam actress Urvashi plays Gayatri’s friend while Joy Mathews plays Gayatri’s college professor. Veteran Telugu screenwriter and actor, reprises Mathew’s character in the Telugu and Tamil version. Others include Tamil actor Nasser, Malayalam actors Nedumudi Venu and P. Balachandran, Anisha Ambrose and Vennele Kishore from Telugu cinema.
Ravichandra Teja is the dialogue writer for Manamantha, Madan Karky has written the Tamil dialogues and Sibi Jose Challisery has written the Malayalam dialogues. The film was shot in Hyderabad, Kochi and Chennai and in all three languages.
Mahesh Shankar has composed music. Rahul Srivastav is the cinematographer.
Yeleti after winning the national award with his debut film, Aithe, a slick adventure story, went on to establish himself as a film-maker to be reckoned with. His second film, Anukokunda Oka Roju, brought home three awards including two Nandi awards. Yeleti has been known to experiment in a new genre with every film. If his third film, Okkadunnadu was an action thriller his fourth venture Prayanam was a romantic tale set inside an airport. Sahasam, his last film, an adventure tale, was appreciated for its taut screenplay and cinematography.
This trilingual produced by Sai Korapatti, is awaited eagerly. Yeleti endorses with the tagline that reads — ‘This is the story about everyone’.
Viswant Duddumpudi: Living a dream life
Not everyone is as lucky as Viswant Duddumpudi.
Duddumpudi recalls how on the day of his graduation in New York after collecting his degree certificate, he took the night flight to India to begin his journey in the film industry. Duddumpudi got his break with Telugu film, Kerintha.
But the fan in him found it hard to believe when he was offered his next role by Chandra Sekhar Yeleti.
Duddumpudi talks to tabloid! about working in Manamantha/Vismayam/Namadhu (Telugu/Malayalam/Tamil).
Role Play
“I play an engineering student Abhiram, who hails from a middle-class family. He is in love with a young woman. For the character I toned down my appearance and my body language to appear younger.
The awe moment with Mohan Lal
“I have watched only Iruvar, one of Lal sir’s films, and loved it. Working with him went beyond my dreams. He is an unassuming person. Right from the first day when he introduced himself by his name to his manner of treating every technician on the sets with respect, I learnt that it is important to be humble and not just being a star. On our first day of shooting I was certainly nervous and did not want to make him go through retakes on my account. Thankfully it went off well. I am now catching up on his films. I watch one every day.
Working with director Yeleti
It was an amazing experience to work with a director whom I admire. After explaining the scenes and situation he gives his actors freedom to improvise.
Anisha Ambrose
An MBA graduate, Anisha Ambrose never intended to work in films but was spotted on social media by producer, Neelima Tirumalasetti who was scouting for new faces for Telugu film, Alias Janaki.
Four-films-old Ambrose is now excited over her fifth film, Manamantha/Vismayam/Namadhu (Telugu/Malayalam/Tamil).
Ambrose plays Aira, a college student who is in love with Abhiram, the role played by Viswant Duddumpudi.
“Aira is an outgoing and outspoken girl,” says Ambrose whose last release was the hit Kannada film, Karva.
“She knows what she wants to do in life and is focused on her goals.”
Yeleti’s film is about the lives of four individuals and how their paths meet.
Working with Yeleti is a dream come true for this MBA graduate who cut short her career at Dell to pursue acting.
“Not every newcomer gets to work with a film-maker like him. He is a perfectionist who looks into intricate details and encourages natural acting. A patient director, sir guided us and never rushed his actors into performing. It was a great learning experience.”
Her only regret is not being able to share screen space with Mohan Lal and Gowthami playing the other leads in this story. Nor did she bump into them on the sets.
