Follow Passion, Actor Nikhil Tells Young Filmmakers

VIJAYAWADA: Curtains went up and the spirit of Telugu cinema came alive with the inauguration of the three-day ‘Gran Kinos -2015’, an event dedicated to showcasing short films, documentaries, animation films and Public Service Announcements (PSAs) made by budding filmmakers, here Wednesday.

More than 50 teams from various colleges in Kanpur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Eluru and Vijayawada participated in the film festival for screening of their works at the film festival, organised by the department of visual communication and animation, Andhra Loyola College.

The cash prize for the winner is `4 lakh which will be announced on the third day of the festival. The Devaiah Auditorium of Andhra Loyola College echoed with the cheers of  short-film lovers and presented a perfect picture of fun and frolic.

Young Tollywood actor Nikhil Siddhartha, who came along with his new film ‘Surya Vs Surya’ cast and crew to encourage the budding filmmakers at the festival, shared his journey in the film industry from the film ‘Happy Days’ to ‘Surya Vs Surya’ and thanked the college management for its support to organise national film festivals.

“In our days, no one encouraged us to become directors. I would have become a director instead of an actor, had I been encouraged in that direction,” he said with a smile.  

Nikhil said that short filmmaking had become a passion for the youth these days. In earlier days, camera was essential in making film but now most of the youths were making short films with their smart phones and getting updated to the latest trends in filmmaking, he said and advised young filmmakers, “Follow your heart and chase your dreams for success in life.” Ch Harsha, who acted as a comedian in ‘Surya Vs Surya’, said he was the best example of a young man entering the Telugu film industry with a short film ‘Viva’. “Though I am mechanical engineer, my passion for acting has provoked me to enter the film industry,” he added.    

On the occasion, Tollywood film director V N Aditya recollected his attachment with the city and said versatile filmmakers like Jandhyala and Ram Gopal Varma belonged to Vijayawada. “Do not consider this festival as a platform to enter the film industry.

Short films have their own beauty. A small group of short filmmakers are creating a revolution in film industry now.  I wish that would be repeated here too with you,” he said pointing towards the budding filmmakers who participated in the festival.  Later, cinematographer Mohan Krishna participated in an interactive session with students on technical issues related to cinematography.

Cine lyricist and actor Rakendu Mouli, ALC principal Fr GAP Kishore, Fr Ravi Sekhar, correspondent Fr Raju and PG vice-principal Fr Rex Angelo were present.