Pradeep Machiraju: I am more interested in storytelling than the medium

With Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi, releasing on April 11, Pradeep Machiraju returns to the big screen after a long stint as one of Telugu television’s most recognisable faces. Directed by Nitin and Bharath, who are well-known for their work in television and making their feature debut, the film is billed as a summer entertainer blending romance, comedy, and small-town charm. Alongside Pradeep, it stars Deepika Pilli in her theatrical debut and features a large supporting cast, including Vennela Kishore, Satya, and Rohini. Produced by Monks and Monkeys Pictures, the film marks a full-circle moment for many collaborators who have grown together through years of television.

“It’s all surreal,” Pradeep says, reflecting on his journey so far. “I feel very lucky. I got opportunities at the right time. Whether as a radio jockey, a television presenter, or an actor now, I always had space to be innovative and creative. I see this as a one-in-a-million opportunity, and I want to encash it.”

Contrary to the running discourse, Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi isn’t a home production for Pradeep. “This isn’t exactly my own production,” he clarifies. “Many of my friends are involved. We were looking for a content-based film—a film that tells a story. I came across many scripts, but this one stood out. We worked on it from the formation stage. That’s one reason it took time to complete. Also, I had to take some time to get fit for the role,” he says.

He further adds, “All of my friends are deeply interested in films. We became friends because of our passion for cinema. So we thought, 'Why not come together and make a film?'" This idea of making cinema with people who already speak the same creative language threads through the way Pradeep talks about the project.

Pradeep calls the film "a proper entertainer from first shot to last". He explains, “It’s a family entertainer, a summer film you can enjoy with everyone. It’s like a Chandamama Katha. Once upon a time, there was a village and a girl. A civil engineer arrives in the village, but there are certain rules he must follow. How he gets caught up in those rules forms the story. It’s been presented in a very interesting way.”

The title has a strong recall value for Telugu audiences. Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi is famously also the title of Pawan Kalyan’s debut film. “We didn’t pick the title for marketing reasons,” Pradeep insists. “It suited the story perfectly. And when we realised the title was available, we took it. But we were very cautious because this is the Power Star’s debut film title. It’s an achcha (pure) Telugu title, and ours is an achcha Telugu film, so we felt it was apt.”

Stepping away from his well-known TV persona, Pradeep plays Krishna in the film, which is a character driven by frustration. “The more my character gets frustrated, the more entertaining the film becomes,” he laughs. “This is nothing like my television self. There, I am Pradeep, but here, I am Krishna. I was clear that the character should feel fresh. The directors, Nitin and Bharath, have worked with me for over ten years. We did many dance shows together. Nearly 50 per cent of the shows I’ve hosted, they’ve directed. So I didn’t have to interfere too much; they knew my plus and minus and shaped the character in a new way.”

On casting Deepika Pilli, Pradeep recalls the process. “We were looking for someone with a proper village belle look. She had to speak Telugu, wear a half-saree throughout the film, and fit the world. We couldn’t find the right actor through auditions. Then we thought, 'Why not try someone we already know?' Deepika had worked as a presenter. After a few auditions and workshops, the directors finalised her. She’s a proper Telugu-speaking girl from Vijayawada. People will love her in the film.”

Music is said to play a crucial role in the storytelling, with Radhan composing the soundtrack. “Although it’s an entertainer, we wanted to make sure the music is beautiful,” Pradeep says. “Each song fits a specific genre and emotion. Radhan gaaru has always given us memorable songs, and I’m sure his background score will be a hit too.”

The debutant duo, Nitin and Bharath have impressed Pradeep. “They didn’t feel like debut directors at all,” Pradeep says. “They surprised me. I feel they’ll be an inspiration to many young filmmakers for the kind of subject and sensibility they brought to this story. After watching the final cut, I never once felt like I had worked with newcomers.”

And it seems the story structure itself was a major hook for Pradeep. “The main reason I said yes to this film was the storyline. The plot drive and interval twist felt very interesting. Just when you think you can predict what’s coming next, a comedy sequence surprises you. And the comedy is very organic. Even Brahmanandam gaaru appreciated it. He told us, ‘It’s been a while since we had a film where the comedy is part of the story, not just added for laughs.’ That compliment meant a lot.”

Backing for the film came from none other than Mythri Movie Makers. “They saw the film and closed the deal soon after. They picked a summer release date and declared, ‘This is a film that the whole family can watch together.’ That gave us a lot of confidence.”

For someone who’s crossed formats and platforms with ease, Pradeep doesn’t see much of a divide between television and cinema. “I always believe that only the screen size changes,” he says, with quiet certainty. “Audiences are the same. There’s no such thing as a ‘TV audience’ and a ‘cinema audience’. If the film is good, we buy a ticket and go to the theatre. If it’s not, we stay at home and enjoy a show. My purpose is to tell stories; the size of the screen doesn’t matter.”