'Where there is calculation, there is no cinema’

More often than not, producers are not the ones to talk about their work at length in public, choosing to take calls behind the scenes like a puppeteer. Nor are they prided for their creativity or a distinctly personal sense of ownership in the films they do. Swapna and Priyanka Dutt, daughters of veteran producer Chalasani Aswini Dutt and visionaries in their own right, are the proverbial exception to the norm, on multiple fronts. Breaking the stereotypical (and oft-true) image of producers as old men whose job primarily involves greenlighting scripts and approving budgets, the sister duo have created a successful brand with their films across genres, be it a biopic set amidst the golden age of South Indian cinema (Mahanati), a slacker comedy with satirical overtones (Jathiratnalu) and more recently, a picturesque ode to old school love and menschy values (Sita Ramam). Ahead of the release of Anni Manchi Sakunamule, a family entertainer that in Swapna’s words, “will make one feel warm, like the way one feels when they visit their grandmother on a vacation,” the Dutts open up about a range of questions on their upcoming film and their larger philosophy towards film production.

Working together for more than a decade must have brought their own set of interpersonal challenges to the fore. When enquired about the kind of conflicts they could have possibly had, Swapna laughs and says, “We fought a lot for the first film we worked on together. After that, we decided to split work across departments and check in with each other when any doubts arise. This sort of ecosystem we built together has held us in good stead.” Though Anni Manchi Sakunamule is the first collaboration between director Nandini Reddy and Vyjayanthi Films, Swapna Dutt and Nandini Reddy go way back. Swapna also mentions that Nandini was involved with the production house, writing marketing campaigns for Mahanati. Extending the ecosystem metaphor, Swapna continues, “We are also building an ecosystem by pooling talents across the board. We should not only work together but also support each other. That is how we can make good cinema.”

Swapna goes on to wax eloquent about Nandini’s skills as a filmmaker. “Her sensibilities are bang in the middle of old-school and new age. She is very sure about the stories she wants to tell and does not dilly-dally around them. Ala Modalaindi is a trendsetting film, Kalyana Vaibhogame is a film about a married couple and Oh Baby is a concept-oriented feature. Anni Manchi Sakanamule is about two families coming together. Contrary to perceptions, her films have a style and a flavour of their own.”

The producer duo is equally enthusiastic while talking about Anni Manchi Sakanamule’s lead actor Santosh Shoban. Swapna credits Priyanka for championing the actor’s talent and potential for a long time. “Santosh Shoban is such a fine actor, a rare find. He reminds me of Nani. This film will change things for him, and people will take a liking to him once the film hits the screens,” assures Swapna.

Often known for their hands-on approach to casting, elevating a film by peppering it with a series of interesting cameos is a modus operandi for Swapna and Priyanka Dutt. “We are personally fascinated with the casting process, it is something we all weigh in together, and even take the help of our father if we want to have someone legendary on board.” Anni Manchi Sakanamule has gotten the attention of everyone with its ensemble cast, which is a mixture of familiar faces (Rajendra Prasad, Rao Ramesh, Vennela Kishore) and new faces (Ramya Subramanian, Ashwin Kumar Lakshmikanthan) along with a few noteworthy comeback appearances (Gauthami, Sowcar Janaki). Refuting questions about casting actors from outside states to make the film more appealing to audiences across languages, Priyanka says, “We cast the actors purely on the basis of what is the best requirement for that role, that is all.”

Anni Manchi Sakanumule is set in a fictitious hill station on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu called Victoriapuram, and the film was shot in Coorg for a period of 80 days. Talking about the importance of setting the story in a place so specific, Swapna says, “It is a very costly move to take a huge crew and shoot in a far-off location. But it gives the film a certain X factor when we go the extra mile. The look and feel of the film will also be much better.” Priyanka continues, “Also, we spent a lot of time in Coonoor as kids, accompanying our father to shoots. We were kind of hoping to shoot a film in an idyllic hillside locale and thanks to Nandini, we get to live that dream.”

Priyanka and Swapna are ably supported by filmmaker Nag Ashwin, who is also Priyanka’s spouse. “I did not believe in Jathiratnalu as much as Nagi and Priyanka did. On the other hand, I believed a lot more in Sita Ramam. We were all unanimous in our faith for Mahanati, in fact, we treated that film like a responsibility,” says Swapna, who credits her sister Sravanthi and their mother for their achievements. “They ensure smooth sailing on the domestic front, taking care of our children while we work.”

The path to their success has been filled with challenges. Risks that eventually paid off, but risks nonetheless. “Every step of shooting Sita Ramam was filled with doubts and obstacles. We released Jathiratnalu in the theatres during the pandemic, despite having a great OTT deal. Nagi chucked the deal, telling us that we are young and we can always earn money later, even if the film tanks in the theatres. But you cannot make films with such calculations and questions. Where there are calculations, there is no cinema. Our father did not believe in working with such apprehensions either. We are in the business of making films, which is primarily an endeavour of passion,” says Swapna. “If we like the script and if we have the push to tell it to others, then we go for it, following our intuition. That is where the buck stops” adds Priyanka.

While they stay mum about the ongoing developments of Project K, the sci-fi adventure drama their banner is helming next, headlined by Prabhas, Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan, the producers do reveal a bit about the plans for 2024, which marks the 50th year anniversary of Vyjayanthi Films. “There is something exciting in the offing. All I can tell you know that it will be something filled with trivia and nostalgia that all of us will enjoy,” signs off Swapna.