After the success of the thriller Eesha, Thrigun is gearing up for his next release, Mr Work From Home, which is set to hit screens on May 15. The film marks Madhudeep's directorial debut, with Payal Radhakrishna playing the female lead. Both the actor and the director spoke at length about the film in an interaction with CE.
Talking about the title, Thrigun said that 'Work From Home’ has become a familiar concept, especially after COVID. “In our film, we show how the idea of work from home could evolve in the future,” he says, adding that although the film is set against the backdrop of agriculture, it doesn’t come across as preachy. “It’s a complete family entertainer with commercial elements,” he notes.
Director Madhudeep explained that many software professionals are now turning to agriculture as a secondary source of income due to job uncertainties. “In our film, we explore the revival of agriculture. Many people have moved away from it due to changing conditions. We present these changes and possibilities engagingly and entertainingly,” he said. He also added that the film blends agriculture with the work-from-home concept in a unique manner, which is why they opted for an English title. Elaborating further details about the plot, the director says the plot conflict is set off when the leads, believing in different ideologies, encounter each other.
Thrigun shares that he has known Madhudeep for several years and was keen to collaborate. Initially, the director narrated a sports-based story that didn’t appeal to him. “In recent years, I’ve done a lot of intense films, but those aren’t part of our real lives. I wanted to do a rooted story that reflects everyday life, and that was to the liking of Madhudeep,” he explains.
Clarifying on the similarities with Mahesh Babu’s Maharshi, Thrigun says his film is totally different from the National Award-winning feature. “Maharshi is set entirely in a village. But if you travel 40–50 kilometres from Hyderabad, you’ll find places that are neither fully urban nor rural. Our story is set in such a backdrop, and it’s presented as a commercial family entertainer.”
Madhudeep shares that since he hails from Eluru, an agrarian locality, the story of Work From Home was relatable. He says he has witnessed first-hand the migration of farmers selling their lands for better pastures in cities. “I’ve seen farmers selling their land and leaving villages because agriculture didn’t work out for them. There is a lack of learning and evolution in the sector. I am a big fan of R Narayana Murthy’s storytelling style. While my film has a similar serious core, I’ve presented it more entertainingly.”
He also adds that the film will throw light on the issue of excessive chemical usage in farming. “The soil has been damaged due to chemicals. In the film, we explore how to restore such land and produce healthy food in the future. It’s a mix of multiple ideas,” he says, recounting the challenges he went through to artificially create a millet field. “We couldn’t find suitable locations, so we shot in a garden at Ramoji Film City and used VFX to create the millet fields,” he reveals.
Talking about Payal Radhakrishna, Thrigun ensures that she is not relegated to mere eye candy and has a substantial part in the film. “She isn’t just there for songs or filler scenes; her character is central to the story. She is related to the role as she is practical in real life. Convincing parents is easier, but convincing a girlfriend is tough — that’s an interesting angle in the film,” he says, appreciating her effort in learning and speaking Telugu on set.
Interestingly, Madhudeep is Thrigun’s 23rd debut director. “I’ve worked with many first-time directors because they bring something new. Established directors often follow a template, but newcomers come with fresh ideas and perspectives,” he reasons for his decision to go with newcomers.
Reflecting on his career, Thrigun said he started with Katha, which featured Genelia as the female lead. “It had a big cast and high expectations. I was fortunate to get another good film afterwards,” he said. He admitted that he lacked proper guidance and strategy early in his career. “I always focused on giving my best to every role rather than chasing the ‘hero’ image,” he adds.
The actor, in his concluding statement, also spoke about shuttling between Telugu and Tamil films. “I take up work wherever I find good opportunities, which is why I’m doing both Telugu and Tamil films. With OTT platforms, audiences are watching content across languages. I often shoot in Hyderabad during the day and travel to Chennai for night shoots. Once I achieve a major success, I may focus on one language.”
