Scarlet-head poster of Telugu film 23The specialty of a burning bus, boldly quotes George Orwell Animal farm: “All are the same, but some are more similar than others.” Produced and directed by Raj R, and presented by Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media, the film is inspired by true events that appeared in undivided Andhra Pradesh during the 1990s.
Three major events shaped its story, Raj tells Raj. In 1991, the Tsunduru massacre saw violence of cruel caste against Dalits. In 1993, 23 passengers lost their lives after two Dalit men after a bus in Chilkaluripat. In 1997, a car bomb blast in Film Nagar, Hyderabad, allegedly killed 23 people and injured several others. Raj remembers how, as a teenager, he reacted with anger to the film city blast. “Today, at the age of 49, I see things from many perspectives – the books I have read and the experiences I have lived in shaped,” he said that he has taken creative freedom to prepare the film’s story.
The first look poster of ’23’ recently paid attention. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Raj’s previous work – including Mallesham(A Telugu biopic on Pochamply Weaver Chintakindi Mallesham), Hindi Relationship Drama 8 pm metroAnd Malayalam Action-Drama Pakaka(River of blood) – All were produced independently. 23 Follows the same path.
new faces
Raj initially picked 23 For the establishment of Telugu actors. While some did not respond, others expressed interest, but were tied with ongoing projects. Instead of waiting indefinitely, Raj chose new people. “I wanted to make a film, while I had speed instead of delaying for well-known actors,” he explains. The film has more than 30 characters, in which Nayak’s visit has come out in 12 years. Currently in post-production, 23 Set for release soon, an official date is to be announced.
Raj R | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
As he prepares to bring the film into the audience, Raj reflects his unconventional film production journey. Dallas, a freelance software programmer located in the US, takes less sabbatical to make films in India. “I am not a binding filmmaker,” he believes. “I only make films when I feel an undisputed urge to tell a story.”
Like most Indie filmmakers, their path has been easy. He said, “I earn and spend in the US – or instead, loses most of my savings films,” he says with a laugh. Whereas Mallesham Got significant praise, it did not generate important benefits. His Hindi drama 8 pm metro Dramatic and OTT releases were faced with challenges, but eventually found their audience through a limited run on Zee5 and later YouTube. “Gulshan Devaiya (lead actor) still receives hot messages from those who are associated with the film. Over time, we have seen that the audience is deeply related to its characters, “Raj Share.
Contingent filmmaker
Raj R on the set of ’23’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
At one point, Raj stepped into production with Malayalam film Pakaka (River of blood) To support the sound designer of Mallasham, Nithin Leukos, who was eager to write and direct. The irony is that Raj was never intended to become a producer. “I don’t have that skill set. I can’t think like a businessman, ”he believes. In fact, he must have been satisfied only to write stories and screenplays to direct and produce for others.
However, after writing MalleshamHe found that he invested to hand over himself to someone else emotionally. When the installed production houses hesitated to return the project, Raj took matters into his hands, citing its limited commercial appeal. “I became a casual director and manufacturer,” he says. The same pattern chased for his later films. All his projects are made within a minor budget of 3-5 crores, funding their savings and support from friends and family.
Raj never dreamed of being a part of the film industry. Growing up, he was deeply influenced by Mani Ratnam’s films. He said, “He saw cinema in the 80s and the 90s, crossing each of his films,” he remembered. In the late 90s, seeing Roberto Benigani Life is beautiful Left a permanent impression – he woke up from how a tragic story could be infected with comedy. His performance for world cinema continued, but he never considered entering filmmaking until a friend’s idea gave him into writing.
learning the ropes
Raj moved to America in 1999 after earning an engineering degree from Osmania University, Hyderabad. By 2000, working in San Francisco Bay Area, he had the opportunity to be a production assistant in a short film and later worked with Malayalam filmmaker Jayaraj. “I subconsciously raised how he tells an actor a scene and how he makes a shot stage,” he remembers.
His first attempt in direction came in 2006 with a Tamil film which he does not like to name. Disappointed with the experience, he left almost completely on writing and direction – until he stumbled on a ted talk about Chintkindi Malleshham and his revolutionary ‘ASU’ yarn processing device. Mallasham’s firmness, despite repeated failures, resonated deeply with Raj and ruled his passion for filmmaking.
Turning back, Raj is proud of his journey. “Completing a film is an achievement in itself. If it comes out as a fantasy and connects with its intended audience, it is worth celebrating, ”he says. 23 Tamil and Hindi have also been dubbed, and Raj is optimistic about its reach. “We just have to find the right audience.”
Published – March 06, 2025 02:15 pm IST
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