The year was 2011, there was a small film, a rom-com that had fairly new and young actors, and storytelling which does not follow the norms of the time and humour which is not a separate ‘track’ but is part of the story and situations. It still followed the format but cut corners to stand out as a fresh film that appealed to critics and masses. There is complexity of emotions, the songs and dances, and most of all relatable characters. Nandini Reddy, who had worked with some of the most critically acclaimed directors until then, chose to debut with ‘Ala Modalaindi’ as an independent director. And till date the film defines her. It is considered one of the best Telugu films of all times.

Nandini on her part continues to make rom coms and feel-good movies, but ensures each of her films stand out on their own. From ‘Ala Modalaindi’ which translated means That’s How It Started – to the latest ‘Anni Manchi Sakunamule’ – Nandini Reddy chose to follow her heart. If it means lesser number of films in her kitty – she evidently does not mind.

Here’s a peek into what makes her tick.

Where do your stories come from?
Maybe I am living vicariously through my films. Especially, Anni Manchi Sakunamule – is from a part of me. My most personal film. A friend saw the film and commented there is so much of you as a person. She was referring to my humour and my values of life. My hero in the film eats tons of food, is foot loose fancy-free kind and loves on a whim.

What is the reason you have always stuck to feel good films?
That’s just my state of mind. Organically and naturally, I like to write such films. I think this appeal to more people, as I like watching such films. I find it difficult to watch sad films. They emotionally traumatize me. For example, when I watched Bandit Queen, I felt it was brilliantly made, but found it hard to watch.

Here are the human emotions that have been part of the film from 60 – 70 years, but we continue to connect to them and respond to emotional stories and relate to them.

How is it working with women while making a film? You have worked with Swapna Cinema and that means a lot of women?
It’s works awesomely well. Women are hard workers like ants and bees, they get into nitty gritty. While working with Swapna Cinema. Swapna and Priyanka Dutt are amazing… the way they manage home, children, parents, work, and how they thrive in this energy. They do such collaborative work – it feels like I am flying business class while with them.

What do you look for when you make films? What if a film you have worked for does not get the success you expect?
It’s always about process. I always say that 20 Fridays cannot decide the quality of my life. They cannot decide how successful or unsuccessful I am. The journey to those things is what defines me. The 18 – 19 months that I put into the film, what has that fed my soul? What has it given back to me and taken away from me? That is important. Cinema is part of my life. It can’t be my life. And, I thrive on life, and it cannot be my be-all and end-all.

Is there a film that you liked in recent times?
When I watched Great Indian Kitchen, I felt why I didn’t think of the story even though we have seen this all around us. It’s a great film. Yet another film I loved and I am very proud of as a Telangana person is Balagam.

Do you think people are coming to theatres?
People are social animals and everyone eventually has to come to theatres to watch films together. That said, I feel Telugu audiences are coming to theatres if they like the film. Also we must make enough noise and create publicity to catch eyeballs, and interest for them to go and watch a film. For example, people watched Gargi on OTT and loved it. When I asked why they didn’t go to theatre to watch it – they said they did not know when it released. Yet Gargi found its audience on OTT. And that’s what happens today. If you are a small film and could not do well in theatres, you can still get audience to watch the film on OTT, if it’s good.

What is your next film?
It is with Siddu Jonnalagadda of DJ Tillu fame. In a few months I will be starting the film.

What are your aspirations as a film maker?
I do not have any aspirations. I do not want to make films with Shahrukh Khan or Prabhas. I have only made five films so far. I am as aspirational as Garfield.

How is life without Twitter? Will you come back to Twitter?
It is blissful. I was anyway not so much into Twitter except for my films. I don’t think I belong to the Twitter verse. I don’t think I will come back.