‘Chennai Love Story’ director Ravi Namburi: Kiran Abbavaram’s character draws from my filmmaking journey

For a little more than a decade, Ravi Namburi honed his skills as a screenplay writer and associate director for several Telugu films. He now makes his debut as director with the Telugu film Chennai Love Story, releasing on July 24. Taking time off for this interview amid post production work in Hyderabad, Ravi describes his film as “an experimental love story”. The promos of the film featuring Kiran Abbavaram and Sri Gouri Priya have stoked curiosity with the promise of a layered, complex story.

The story idea, Ravi says, came from director Sai Rajesh. “I briefly worked with him for Baby. He narrated a story to me and the producer, SKN, and we found it compelling. Then he asked if I would be keen to direct it.” Ravi wrote the dialogues and co-wrote the screenplay with Sai Rajesh.

Ravi hails from Visakhapatnam and completed B.Tech in 2008. “I specialised in ECE but joined a software company. I worked for four years before being completely drawn to the world of cinema.”

He had been a movie buff since childhood, and a fan of Pawan Kalyan. “Once I moved to Hyderabad, the interest in cinema got the better of me,” he recounts.

Ravi met director Maruthi on the sets of Bhale Bhale Magadivoy (2015). One thing led to another and soon he began pitching in as a writer for screenplays and dialogues. “Some of the initial films I worked for were not released.” Ravi continued working in varied capacities, ranging from writer to associate director, for films such as Brother of Bommali, Rojulu Marayi, Urvasivo Rakshasivo and Bhale Manchi Chowki Beram. The practical experience boosted his confidence, though he occasionally wished he had taken up formal training in filmmaking. 

Kiran Abbavaram and Sri Gouri Priya in the film
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Nevertheless, lived experiences found a way into his writing. “For instance, Kiran Abbavaram’s character in Chennai Love Story is that of an aspiring filmmaker. Some of my observations are reflected in his character.”

Setting the story in Chennai, Ravi explains, gives the film a distinct texture. “The understated colour tones and middle class setting works for this story. Since we show the key characters as people who go from the Telugu States to Chennai for work, the Telugu dialect does not change. But some supporting characters speak Tamil for authenticity.”

What comes as a surprise though, is Ravi stating that the unit was able to film only some portions in Chennai. “Due to some government regulations, we learnt that not many Tamil films are shot in Chennai, so as to not disturb the neighbourhoods. We filmed on the streets and on local trains. The production team prepared a document after studying Chennai closely. We then filmed in a set and an apartment in Hyderabad, taking care to make it appear like Chennai. We also shot for a fortnight in Pondicherry.”

A rundown lighthouse, he says, is integral to the story. “We filmed these portions in Chirala for 17 or 18 days. We used a hypothetical situation of what if Chennai had an old lighthouse that is not in use.”

Keeping with the ethos of Chennai, Ravi says he and Sai Rajesh wanted the music to resonate with old-world charm. “Both of us are fans of maestro Ilaiyaraaja. And I grew up listening to Mani Sharma sir’s music. He, too, lived in Chennai and is a Raaja sir fan. So he became our choice for this film’s music.”

Director Ravi Namburi
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

What has become a point of discussion is the character of the female protagonist, who seeks refuge in alcohol. Ravi says he and Sai Rajesh establish her emotional turmoil early in the story so that she is not unduly judged. “She does not drink for shock value. Once the audience knows her story, they will empathise with her.” 

Ravi adds that casting the female protagonist took time. “I wanted a Telugu-speaking actress. I happened to watch Gouri Priya in Lover and thought she would be the best fit. We had a workshop for the actors prior to filming and she has done a great job.”

Up next, Ravi has a few story ideas and is keen to explore diverse genres. “I am waiting to see how the audience reacts to my first film before I make my next move.”