There are reports on social media that Ram Charan will appear in Irumudi. Is there any truth to them?
Shiva Nirvana: No, those are only social media rumours. Ram Charan garu is an Ayyappa devotee and naturally has that spiritual connection, so perhaps fans imagined that he might appear in the film. But there is no truth to those reports. I only hope Ram Charan garu watches Irumudi and likes the film.
Expectations have been high since the title announcement and increased further after the promotional content. Will the film live up to them?
Shiva Nirvana: Irumudi has three important layers. One is the Ayyappa Swamy Mala backdrop, another is the family emotion, and the third is the crime angle. We planned the promotions around these elements and gradually revealed the film's content.
By the time the trailer was released, audiences had a clear idea about what kind of film they were going to watch. I believe the film will definitely meet their expectations.
Ravi Teja looks very different in Irumudi. What was your approach to presenting him in this new avatar?
Shiva Nirvana: When you tell a story based on a subject that has rarely been explored, its reach changes when a star performs it. Irumudi has the Ayyappa Mala backdrop, a strong family story and a completely new setting. When a star like Ravi Teja garu becomes part of such a story, it has the potential to reach audiences in every household. His presence gives the subject a much wider appeal.
After the first look, some people compared Irumudi with the Malayalam film Malikappuram. How did you react to those comparisons?
Shiva Nirvana: Very few films have been made with an Ayyappa Swamy backdrop, especially in South Indian cinema. In the past, there were films such as Ayyappa Swamy Mahatyam, but we have not seen a star like Ravi Teja in this kind of setting.
When a filmmaker touches a rarely explored subject, comparisons with existing films are natural. That is why Malikappuram was mentioned I was never worried about those comparisons because I knew exactly what my film contained. After watching the trailer, audiences also understood that Irumudi is very different. Many viewers themselves are saying that the film looks unique.
What kind of research did you undertake to authentically portray the Ayyappa Mala tradition?
Shiva Nirvana: After deciding to make this story, I spoke to many people and learned extensively about Ayyappa Mala Deeksha. Still, I felt that merely asking others was not enough.
For this film, I personally wore the Mala. I attended Padi Puja ceremonies in Film Nagar and met Guruswamis. Earlier, I had also visited Sabarimala with director Hanu Raghavapudi garu. Details such as Mangala Harathi, bhajans and the way devotees wear Rudraksha malas have been presented as authentically as possible.
Did you have Ravi Teja in mind when you first developed the story?
Shiva Nirvana: No. When I first thought of the story, I did not imagine any particular actor in the role. But after narrating it to Ravi Teja garu, I realised that he was perfect for the character. His beard, personality and natural aura suited the role extremely well. Ravi Teja garu is also very cool on set. Once he approves a story, he gives the director complete freedom. He neither puts pressure on others nor takes unnecessary pressure himself.
Mallepoola Pallaki has received a tremendous response. How did the song become part of the film?
Shiva Nirvana: The response has been wonderful, and the song crossed around nine million views within two days of its release. Since Irumudi takes place against an Ayyappa Mala backdrop, devotional songs and bhajans naturally form part of the narrative. While researching in the Sileru region, I asked a Swamy which song Ayyappa devotees commonly sing there, and he mentioned Mallepoola Pallaki.
We shot the sequence using that song. Later, several people also requested that we include it, so we were happy that our choice matched what devotees themselves wanted. The song has been sung during Padi Puja ceremonies for around 15 years. We therefore wanted to respect the emotions associated with it. Although GV Prakash garu could have brought in any singer, the team felt that recording it with the original singer, Dappu Srinu garu, would preserve its authenticity.
Dappu Srinu garu originally sang it many years ago and is now around 60. Naturally, there may be some difference in energy, but his voice gives the song its identity. I believe audiences will experience the song with tremendous devotional energy in theatres.
How was your experience working with cinematographer Vishnu Sharma?
Shiva Nirvana: Vishnu Sharma is an excellent cinematographer. Ravi Teja garu and I both work very quickly, so we needed a cinematographer who could match our pace.
He worked with the required speed while also delivering excellent visuals. The portions shot in Sileru are especially beautiful and will draw audiences into the world of the story.
How did Baby Nakshatra become part of the film?
Shiva Nirvana: The character required a very natural and rooted quality. We wanted the child to feel like someone from our own family. While searching for the right actor, we came across Nakshatra's reels on Instagram. The character Manemma needed an earthy and innocent quality. We conducted a look test and shot a couple of videos with her. After seeing the results, we felt she was perfect for the role.
Your films Ninnu Kori, Majili and Kushi had a different flavour. Why did you choose a subject like Irumudi?
Shiva Nirvana: My intention has always been to tell stories with intensity. Films like Ninnu Kori and Majili are remembered because of their emotions. Even after I leave the industry someday, I want audiences to remember my stories.
I found that kind of emotional intensity in the crime angle of Irumudi. There is also extraordinary human drama in Ayyappa Mala Deeksha. Once a person wears the Mala, he follows strict discipline with devotion. Even someone who makes mistakes in everyday life tries to avoid doing anything wrong during the Deeksha period.
That idea created a powerful human conflict in Ravi Teja garu's character. The screenplay explores how he behaves while wearing the Mala and how he behaves when he is not under that discipline. Irumudi is fundamentally a strong family emotional drama set against the Ayyappa Mala backdrop. It is not the story of Lord Ayyappa. The spiritual tradition forms the background for the human story.
What can you tell us about Sai Kumar's role?
Shiva Nirvana: Sai Kumar garu plays the Guruswami character. He has performed wonderfully, and his appearance and personality perfectly suited the role.
We heard that you personally handle montage portions in your songs. Is that true?
Shiva Nirvana: Yes. I have followed that practice from my first film. While shooting scenes, I also capture several montage moments and later use them during editing. It helps create the feeling that the entire village, location and environment are naturally moving along with the story. I have been following this method since Ninnu Kori.
How was it working with Mythri Movie Makers?
Shiva Nirvana: Naveen garu and Ravi garu give directors tremendous creative freedom. They know that I work quickly while also keeping the budget in mind, so there is strong mutual trust. We shot in Sileru with around 250 people, which was a major logistical exercise. Mythri Movie Makers supported us completely throughout the schedule.
Was Irumudi always the title you wanted for the film?
Shiva Nirvana: Yes. The story has multiple emotional connections. There is a bond between a father and daughter, another connection between an Ayyappa devotee and the Mala, and a third connection involving the crime element. These three knots or bonds come together in the narrative, and that is why I felt Irumudi was the perfect title.
Tell us about the locations where Irumudi was filmed.
Shiva Nirvana: We shot extensively in rural locations. Usually, filmmakers sometimes shoot in Kerala villages and make them resemble Andhra regions. Sukumar garu went as far as Maredumilli for Rangasthalam, but tourism has increased considerably there now.
For Irumudi, we travelled around two hours beyond Maredumilli to reach the Sileru region near the Andhra-Odisha border. The location is surrounded by mountains, forests and greenery, giving the film a very distinctive visual atmosphere. I would especially like to thank Sileru Balaji garu, Kolluru Ramanamurthy garu and the local people for the support they extended to our team.
