Director Vi Anand is now poised for a hat-trick with his upcoming film Okka Kshanam, a sci-fi thriller based on parallel life concept.

There have been reports that the film starring Allu Sirish and Surbhi is a remake of a Korean film. Anand refutes the news and says, “Many articles have been written on the parallel life and there is a South Korean film based on this theme. But, the story of Okka Kshanam bears no similarities with any films whatsoever. It’s original and unique.”

Love for the sci-fi thriller genre has apparently influenced Anand since childhood. Ask him how he conceived the storyline, and he explains, “A few years back, I saw an old man driving a car while his son sat in the back seat relaxing. In general, it should be otherwise. That incident lived with me for years and based on that incident that I have written Okka Kshanam.” 

The film’s teaser appears to give away the plot of the film in its entirety. So, is it a way of preparing the audience for the film? Anand shares, “It was a conscious attempt. We wanted to reveal the plot in the teaser so that the audience can keep guessing about it.” He adds that they do not want the audience to come to the theatre with incorrect assumptions. “As for the video, when we toss the matchsticks, some of them will fall parallel to each other. Likewise, among millions of people living on this planet, the incidents or the thoughts in the lives of any two people can be similar. Personally, I knew a relative of mine who shared a parallel life with another girl.” 

Produced by Chakri Chigurupati, Okka Kshanam also features Srinivas Avasarala and Seerat Kapoor. The film, which has music by Mani Sharma, is set to release on December 28.