Nikhil Gollamari: Even my own acting skills improved while making Chaurya Paatam
Chaurya Paatam, which blends crime, comedy, and social commentary, hit the screens on April 25. Directed by first-time filmmaker Nikhil Gollamari, the film draws inspiration from a story idea by filmmaker Karthik Gattamneni. In an exclusive conversation with CE, Nikhil opens up about the making of the film, his journey into the industry, and the nuanced creative choices behind his directorial debut.
What was the seed for Chaurya Paatam?
The initial idea came from Karthik Gattamneni. He shared it with me during the shoot of Karthikeya 2. It was a very basic concept that emerged from a casual conversation, really, but something about it stayed with me. Over time, we developed it further into a full story. That is how Chaurya Paatam was born.
Can you walk us through your background before you got into films?
From the beginning, I was drawn to the screen, although initially, I did not know if it was acting or filmmaking that fascinated me. As I grew older, I realised it was the act of creating stories that interested me. I pursued a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and briefly ventured into wedding films, before moving into advertising for around three to four years. When Covid-19 hit, the advertising sector slowed down considerably, and that gave me the push to finally reach out to Karthik Ghattamaneni. He introduced me to Chandoo Mondeti, with whom I worked for about two and a half years. Eventually, Chaurya Paatam happened.
As a filmmaker, many would want their first film to be a personal story. You are debuting with someone else’s idea. How did you navigate that creatively?
It was an exciting challenge. I believe a story deserves to be told if it interests you, regardless of whose original idea it is. I do have stories of my own, but this one felt right. The industry here often expects a director to be the writer as well, which adds another layer of expectation. But for me, it was about approaching the story with honesty and finding a way to make it my own through the filmmaking process.
What about the story of Chaurya Paatam connected with you personally?
The theme of people trying to find shortcuts to success really struck a chord with me. It is a reality in every field. The characters in Chaurya Paatam operate in grey zones. They find alternative ways, often questionable, to achieve their goals. The title itself is symbolic. ‘Chaurya Paatam’ roughly translates to ‘The Robber’s Lesson’. I feel, it is easy to find shortcuts to success, but it rarely works in the long run. The film explores how these characters learn hard lessons through their choices.
How did you balance the serious and comedic tones in the film?
The film is rooted in a darker tone but has a lot of situational humour. It is not slapstick. The comedy comes organically from the characters and the situations they find themselves in. There is also a strong thriller and mystery element running throughout. The trailer only reveals about 50 per cent of what the film holds. We consciously designed it that way to give a taste without giving away the full journey.
How was it working with a mix of experienced actors and debutants as a first-time director?
It was a steep learning curve. In the beginning, I would brief all actors the same way, expecting a uniform response. But I quickly realised that each actor needs to be directed differently. For some, I had to enact the scenes to explain the body language and mood. For experienced actors like Rajeev Kanakala, a brief was enough. What amazed me was how much flair and interpretation seasoned actors bring on their own. It became a collaborative space, and frankly, I even feel that my own acting skills improved through this process.
What was your approach to the film's soundtrack?
We approached music differently. I sent scenes to the music director, Davzand, even before the edit was final. I wanted him to feel the vibe without the burden of knowing the whole structure. We jammed extensively and experimented a lot. After the edit was locked, we refined the tracks to match the progression of the story. There is a fusion of Western and Indian elements throughout. You can hear traditional local drums, especially in the second half. The idea was to keep the soundscape grounded yet fresh.
Looking back, what has been the biggest learning from making Chaurya Paatam?
Nothing goes according to plan (laughs). Patience and adaptability. Every day brings a new challenge. Working with actors, building scenes, aligning everyone to the same vision—all of it requires immense patience. Also, being open to new methods. Whether it is letting actors improvise or allowing the music to evolve organically, the key is to stay committed but flexible.