"Is a house just a place to live... or a place that becomes part of who we are?
A heartwarming story about belonging, memories, and the true meaning of home," the makers of Illu said, sharing the trailer for their upcoming edition of the Katha Sudha series on ETV Win. The show is ready to reach audiences this week (June 14).
Produced by Kishore Marishetti under Manohar Arts and ETV Win, the film is directed by Rohit and Shashi. Harshavardhan plays a thoughtful writer who has to look out for an aesthetic work to live in after his current landlord asks him to vacate out of nowhere. Bindhu Chandramouli plays his companion. They are supported by Anish Kuruvilla, Pawan Ramesh, and Camp Shashi.
The team behind Illu hosted a media screening and press meet. On the occasion, actor-director Rahul Ravindran of The Girlfriend spoke warmly about the film. Taking a simple story and making it feel both natural and beautiful, he said, is an extremely difficult task. Illu, he added, will bring audiences a genuine sense of calm. Vivek Sagar of Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi and Pelli Choopulu fame composes the music. Shashank Raghavula handles cinematography and Avanthi Ruya edits the film.
Actress Bindhu Chandramouli's role asked something different of her as an actor. Watching the finished film left her speechless. Vivek Sagar's music, she noted, felt absolutely wonderful. Anish Kuruvilla echoed that sentiment. He has closely observed the director duo's work ethic and their creative vision over the years. He called it a privilege to play a character written so naturally. He sees Illu as the beginning of something larger for stories of this kind.
Director Rohit spoke about the making of the film. The team worked in a disciplined manner throughout. Presenting a small story with the right music, he said, is something special. Three days before the shoot, he felt uncertain about the project. It was the Japanese film Perfect Days that shifted his thinking and gave him the clarity he needed to move forward.
Producer Kishore Marishetti spoke about his journey into production. He has worked in front of the camera and later understood production from the inside. Bringing fresh content to audiences, he said, gives him real joy. He admitted some initial hesitation about a co-direction setup, but their shared vision convinced him. Having a senior actor like Harshavardhan take on the lead role added further weight to the project. The support of the full team gave the production the strength it needed to come together. Camp Sasi, Bharadwaj Gali, Sai Yogi have penned the lyrics.
Illu begins streaming on ETV Win from June 14.
