The promotional song Memu Kooda Cinema Teesinamuro from Kotha Cinema was launched with much fanfare in Hyderabad today. The song has been written and composed by Charan Arjun. Ramagundam MLA Makkan Singh Raj Thakur graced the occasion as chief guest, along with producer-director Madhura Sreedhar Reddy, director Sailu Kampati, and actor R K Sagar Naidu. The event marked a milestone for a film that has already generated buzz for its unusual roots away from the city.
A film built entirely on local talent
Kotha Cinema is the debut project of writer-director Azhar, who chose to make the film in his hometown of Godavarikhani rather than in Hyderabad. It stars Suresh and Rakesh in lead roles, both of whom were spotted through local auditions. Azhar has taken on multiple responsibilities on the project, handling the story, screenplay, dialogues, editing, and direction himself. What sets the project apart is its scale of opportunity, as it introduces as many as 100 newcomers to the Telugu film industry, most of them drawn from the same region.
Lead actors recall their unexpected break
Lead actor Suresh shared that he had gone to the auditions in Godavarikhani only hoping for a small background role, but Azhar instead cast him as the hero and arranged acting training for the entire cast. Co-lead Rakesh, who works as an employee of Singareni, said he had always dreamed of becoming an actor but never had the means to move to Hyderabad in pursuit of that dream. He said he felt fortunate to get this chance while staying close to home.
Producers, collaborators praise Azhar's vision
The producers of the film spoke about the significance of the project. Mohammed Wasim Akram said the film lives up to its title by offering audiences something genuinely new, and hoped viewers would support it in theatres. Sagi Sudheer Rao called it commendable that a single film could introduce 100 newcomers, and added he was glad to be part of Azhar's dream. Yadandla Satish Yadav described the film as fresh and entertaining, built on original content using local talent. Composer and lyricist Charan Arjun added that the song's lyrics reflect the struggles of aspiring filmmakers who never got the chance to reach Hyderabad, calling Azhar the real hero of the story for making the film entirely with local talent.
Chief Guests highlight the family's sacrifice
Several guests at the event drew attention to the personal sacrifice behind the film. Actor RK Sagar Naidu revealed that Azhar had been working toward this project for nearly three years, and credited the director's father Hussain for investing his lifetime savings and provident fund from decades as a Singareni employee to make the film possible. Director Sailu Kampati of Raju Weds Rambai fame echoed this, saying Hussain's belief in his son's dream deserved as much credit as the film itself. Producer Madhura Sreedhar Reddy said he had watched the film and found it refreshingly different, comparing Azhar's achievement to RGV's early "Made in Karimnagar" identity, and pledged support for both its theatrical and OTT release. Ramagundam MLA Makkan Singh Raj Thakur recalled initially cautioning Azhar against entering film production due to past losses suffered by others from the region, but said the family's determination changed his view, and assured government support for local filmmakers going forward.
With cinematography by Johnny Basha, the film's BGM is set by Peddapalli Rohith, while Moin Master is the dance choreographer. Mohammed Wasim Akram, Sagi Sudheer Rao, Yadandla Satish Yadav have bankrolled this one.
