How did your journey from architecture to filmmaking begin?
Ramana Reddy Soma: I come from Raghavapuram in Nalgonda district. I moved to Hyderabad in 1997 for higher studies and studied Architecture at JNTU. Cinema had always interested me, even while I was a student. I started my own architectural office in 2007 and have nearly two decades of experience in that field. During the COVID period, I returned to my hometown and started watching a lot of films on OTT platforms. That period gradually pushed me closer to filmmaking.
When did you first start writing stories for cinema?
Ramana Reddy Soma: I have always enjoyed reading and writing. Around six or seven years ago, I began writing stories inspired by my own experiences and things I observed around me. Later, a friend helped me understand how stories should be structured for cinema. I also learnt a few aspects through YouTube. Eventually, some friends helped me visit a film shooting set, and that experience made me seriously consider entering cinema.
What was your first attempt at filmmaking?
Ramana Reddy Soma: Around three years ago, I made a short film. I wrote the story one night and shot it the next morning. We filmed about 33 minutes across a village and the city. After watching the final output, I realized I needed to improve and decided that I should attempt a feature film only with a properly prepared bound script. Around the same time, I heard Manoj Bajpayee use the phrase “Ameer Log” during a podcast. The phrase stayed with me and became the starting point for this film.
How did the story of Ameer Log develop?
Ramana Reddy Soma: I first finalized the title Ameer Log. Then I started thinking about who the real “Ameer Log” actually are. From that thought, I developed a story set in a Hyderabad basti involving three youngsters. I wanted to present basti life authentically and visually in a way that felt fresh. I completed the script nearly two years ago, discussed it with several people, collected feedback and refined the final version. We also shot a demo and screened it for various people before proceeding further.
Why did you decide to use sync sound?
Ramana Reddy Soma: The actors performed very naturally during the shoot. We tried dubbing some portions, but I felt the same emotion and atmosphere from the sets could not be recreated in the studio. Since the film depends heavily on realism, I decided sync sound would work better. We also avoided artificial sets and shot inside an actual basti because the environment itself was important to the story.
How long did the shooting take?
Ramana Reddy Soma: Including the demo shoot, the entire filming process took around 43 days. Nearly 38 days were spent shooting completely inside the basti. We also had several night schedules. That sometimes caused inconvenience to local residents, so coordinating everything was challenging, but shooting in the real location helped us achieve the authenticity we wanted.
How did Rana Daggubati and Spirit Media support the film?
Ramana Reddy Soma: We screened Ameer Log for the Spirit Media team, and they immediately liked the first half. They were even happier after seeing the audience response to the second half. The support we have received from Rana Daggubati and his team has been tremendous. Rana also shared a post about the film and is expected to watch it soon.
Will the local Hyderabad language be difficult for audiences to follow?
Ramana Reddy Soma: The dialogue reflects the way people naturally speak in Hyderabad. It is primarily Telugu spoken in a local accent, with Urdu words mixed in naturally. I do not think audiences will find the language difficult because the emotions in each scene are clear. Even viewers unfamiliar with the dialect should be able to understand and connect with the characters.
What response has the film received before release?
Ramana Reddy Soma: I have screened Ameer Log for many people, including several directors and actors. Director V. N. Aditya appreciated the film and particularly praised the writing. That meant a lot to me. He even compared certain qualities of the film to Amitabh Bachchan’s Jhund and Ranveer Singh’s Gully Boy. Such appreciation has given us confidence ahead of the release.
What can audiences expect from the music?
Ramana Reddy Soma: Initially, I asked composer Smaran for a Dawath song. After watching the film, however, he suggested several places where songs could strengthen the storytelling. That eventually resulted in 10 songs. Manoj and Nikhilesh wrote the lyrics, and the song sung by M. M. Keeravani is particularly special. I believe it will remain memorable for audiences for a long time.
What did the censor board say about Ameer Log?
Ramana Reddy Soma: The censor board asked us to mute dialogues only in four or five places. Every character in the film has an important role, and the story unfolds from different character perspectives. I also gave the actors freedom to improvise dialogues during filming, which helped the performances feel more natural. Ultimately, Ameer Log is a complete family entertainer with strong emotions, relatable characters and an authentic Hyderabad backdrop.
