Shivalenka Krishna Prasad Interview on film Yashoda

'Yashoda' starring Samantha in the title role. Unni Mukundan, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Rao Ramesh, Murali Sharma, Sampath Raj played key roles. Directed by Hari and Harish. It was produced by shivalenka Krishna Prasad under the banner of Sridevi Movies. He has over 40 years of experience as a producer. He has done more than 45 films in straight Telugu and dubbing. He has made great films like 'Aditya 369'. Now 'Yashoda' has been made with a new story in the backdrop of surrogacy. The film will be released in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi on November 11. Producer Sivalenka Krishna Prasad spoke to the media about samantha along with the film. Those things are for you... 

*How did Samantha's first pan-India film 'Yashoda' start, sir?*

*Sivalenka Krishna Prasad :* 'Yashoda' is the next film I produced after 'Sammohanam'. I think I have the blessings of my uncle SP Balasubrahmanyam garu for this. He passed away on September 25, 2020. Then I went to Chennai. I was there for a few days in support of SP Charan. Then I was there for a few days in support of SP Charan. Then I heard the story of Hari and Harish. Someone who belongs to the producer. I said two or three things when asked for my advice. 

How did the Tamil producer's film come to you?*

Fifteen to twenty days after I arrived in Hyderabad from Chennai, my executive called me. "The producer wants to do it after corona! Do you have any intention of doing it?' I heard the story again in October. What is the budget? If you ask me, they say three to four crores. I was shocked. There is a big point in the style of Shankar's film. I asked him why he was doing it in less. I asked them who will have such a budget as they are new directors. Again reworked on the story. After seven to eight months the script came out satisfactorily. At that time, dubbing of 'Pushpa' and 'KGF' films was going on. We also thought it would be nice to do pan India. 

*Did you go to Samantha after the script was ready?*

Yes. Samantha garu seemed to be good to see who was the heroine to do 'Yashoda' in all languages. With 'Family Man 2', she got recognition across the country. Will Samantha do it? Or? Do you hear the original story? This means that her manager and producer Mahendra will definitely listen. On September 8 last year, samantha's story was heard. He said he would do it immediately. She said yes if she was told to do it in all the languages. After Samantha, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar has been roped in for another crucial role. As the story demanded, we selected one person for each role. 

How was the journey and working experience with Samantha?*

Samantha has been travelling with 'Yashoda' ever since she heard the script. With the completion of 'Shakuntalam', the entire focus is on the film. Everything was taken care of responsibly during the shooting. 

There is a lot of talk about Samantha's health. There is a lot of talk about her at the time of release... *

After the completion of the shooting of the film, we came to know about Samantha's health at the time of dubbing. Telugu dubbing was said. The energy levels have come down to the time of speaking in Tamil. I said that she can tell someone else. She said that everyone knows her voice in Tamil. Chinmayi said in Hindi. She dubbed with the doctor for three to four days. Hats off to her dedication. We got to know three or four days ago. 

What is the story of 'Yashoda'? Are you saying that surrogacy has been turned into a business?*

No, we are showing the crime that is taking place in the context of surrogacy. Crimes are different.

"Have you done experimental films in the past? There are heroes in those films. For the first time you have done a heroine oriented film. Is this an experiment?* It's

not an experiment. I didn't think of an experiment. I did 'Yashoda' out of excitement. "You didn't do 'Aditya 369'. You will be remembered for 30 years," said Balu Uncle. I was excited to hear the time travel. Even now I have listened to the story and have done the same. 

*Lady oriented film, pan India level doesn't seem to be a risk?*

If the film is good, the audience will see it. There is confidence. Before the first time of release, I got to the comfort level of the film. I will be comfortable even after the release. 

"Huge sets have been erected for 'Yashoda'. Why?*

Now the hospitals are in the five-star range. We have to shoot in such a hospital. Moreover, we were shooting during the third wave of corona. If we go to the hospital, there may be a problem there. So, we put up the sets. We shot on those sets for 55 days. Art director Ashok has put up amazing sets. 

*How are the dialogues going to be in the film?*

The directors hari and harish are Tamilians. Both of them don't know Telugu. So I introduced them to senior journalists Pulagam Chinnarayana and Dr. Challa Bhagyalakshmi to write the dialogues in Telugu. I have known Chinnarayana for fifteen years. He has written good books on films. Both of them have written good dialogues according to the story. The directors liked their work very much. 

"What did the censors say after watching the film?*

They were excited. The Telugu censor officials were fine. They were also excited. In Hindi, the censor officer saw it and said, 'Only your South people think like this.' After watching the film, the censor officer called me and he liked it so much. 

We have heard that you are also doing the distribution. Is it true?*

Yes, Sunil garu is supporting us in AP and Telangana. We are doing it through UFO in North India, Disney in Karnataka, Surya garu's company in Tamil and Malayalam. I believe in cinema. 

What did you feel after watching the first copy? Did you take it as Hari and Harish said?*

In order to bring the story to the screen, we compromise on some things. Here it is said that the audience expects a song and another. No one expects anything. The audience wants a good story and a film. Our directors Hari and Harish have made it according to the story. 

"We hear that the involvement of producers in filmmaking has come down and producers are being treated as financiers. What do you think about these situations?* The

weather changes from time to time... We call it the latest. For five or six months the fear began again. Now the producer should be afraid. Because... After corona, the audience is watching movies in all languages. There are subtitles in OTT. The world is watching the movie. Therefore, no matter how close to the routine, they are speaking ruthlessly. It is having an impact on the collections of the next show. There are no good and bad things. The audience is swaying. The producers are concentrating on making good films rather than on combinations.

The budget of 'Yashoda' is high! Do you have anyone to support you in the production?*

Chinta Gopalakrishna Reddy garu co-produced 'Yashoda'. He was very supportive. 

Now the descendants of the producers are coming. Your descendants?*

My son is working as a software engineer in america. He doesn't come to the movies. But he is crazy about cinema. He is very mad about cinema. He used to watch a movie on the block for a hundred dollars. Even while here, he used to buy a ticket for three to four thousand rupees in the morning and watch the benefit shows. I told him not to come to the movies without spending anything to buy tickets. That's what I took after seeing the ups and downs in the industry. 

*So, your daughter's education?*

My daughter's education is working digitally and now she has a job at Spotify. She helped the films 'Sammohanam' and 'Gentleman'. That's the case with this film! It was only my son who said no. I said to the girl, 'You like it.' 'I know how much to do, Dad,' she said. I want to make as many good films as possible. I want to make good films and retire. 

*It's not a combination, but... You have done a series of films with Balakrishna garu earlier. Is there any planning again?*

I have always had a sweet relationship with Balakrishna. I met him recently. He was asked what kind of film 'Yashoda' was. I said it was a new concept. If you do, it's awesome. Even now there will be discussions about the film. I also have to do it if someone brings his image and a story that suits my taste.