Siddharth P Malhotra: I’m a huge fan of Telugu Cinema

The director makes his debut in Telugu through the serial, Madhumasam 
Siddharth P Malhotra: I’m a huge fan of Telugu Cinema

Siddharth P Malhotra, the Hichki director, opens up on the sidelines of his Telugu debut with a television serial, Madhumasam.

Excerpts from the interview:

Why did you choose to produce a Telugu serial?

Producing a Telugu serial was a calculated decision. As a company, I wanted Alchemy to venture into the  regional market. I have experience telling youth-centric serials and they (the makers of Madhumasam) too wanted something on similar lines. So they asked me if I have a story that might be line with their requirement and that is when I pitched Madhumasam. Despite the language barrier, they were more than accommodating and it feels great to have a team there that follows my vision. So I could go, convey the story, brief everybody, and then it’s executed in Telugu. We have an office in Hyderabad and we shot the serial in the city itself.

What is Madhumasam all about?

Madhumasam is about a 21-year-old girl, Shraviya, who is independent and lives life on her own terms. She has a traumatic past as her father married another woman. Though she is well-to-do, she has issues with her stepmother. When the stepmother dies, she becomes the custodian of three children. The serial is about how she becomes a mother overnight and how she has to shoulder those responsibilities. What will she choose in life? Responsibilities or love? And how she learns to balance it all is the crux of our serial. It's a slice-of-life serial loaded with humour, romance, and drama. Above all, it’s Shraviya and her unexpected journey to become selfless. 

Your thoughts on Telugu Cinema...

I’m a huge fan of Telugu Cinema! Actor-producer Rana Daggubati is a close friend of mine. I know Kajal Aggarwal and a few other stars as well. I think Telugu technicians are far ahead in terms of their professional etiquette and culture. The way they function is really commendable, and there’s a lot to learn from Telugu cinema.

Any plans to direct or produce a Telugu film?

Telugu cinema has its own DNA, texture, and I hope I get to produce more Telugu and Tamil films and web series in association with Alchemy soon. In fact, Alchemy planned to venture into Telugu entertainment domain post-Madhumasam with feature films and digital streaming series as well.

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