Praveen Kandregula: ‘Subham’ will serve as an example of the unique films Samantha is looking to produce

Director Praveen Kandregula discusses Samantha Ruth Prabhu's ’Subham’, and ‘Paradha’ led by Anupama Parameswaran and Darshana Rajendran

Praveen Kandregula is soaking in the calm before the storm. Over a mocha at a cafe in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, the director is at ease discussing his two Telugu films awaiting release — Paradha, a story of female friendships featuring Anupama Parameswaran, Darshana Rajendran and Sangitha Krish, and Subham, a comedy produced by Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

Born in Visakhapatnam and now based in Hyderabad, Praveen first stepped into the spotlight with his debut indie film Cinema Bandi, produced by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK. With Paradha and Subham headed for theatrical release, he’s eager to see how audiences respond — especially since Cinema Bandi had a direct digital release during the pandemic.

Both films have generated curiosity with their teasers. Following the acclaim for Cinema Bandi, Praveen was keen to ensure his next ventures were just as distinct. “Audiences want fresh narratives,” he says, adding, “A director’s second film is crucial — it defines the path they want to take.”

Paradha will release in both Telugu and Malayalam. “A modern young woman might relate to Darshana’s character, someone from a rural background may connect with Anupama, and a woman who’s weathered life’s ups and downs would likely resonate with Sangitha,” says Praveen. “There is a strong cultural context, and the three women are on a journey — think Kantarameets Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.”

The film is written by Poojitha Sreekanti and Prahaas Boppudi, with Krishna Pratyusha brought on as the script doctor. Praveen prefers collaborating with writers rather than handling both writing and direction himself. For Paradha, he was also open to suggestions from the three lead actors, keen to understand how women might respond to certain situations. “The script is the backbone of a film,” he says. Once it is written, he treats it as a blueprint, while still leaving space for improvisation on set.

Paradha was shot across various locations, including Dharamshala, Manali, and other parts of Himachal Pradesh. Praveen explains that the title — derived from ‘purdah’, or veil — serves as a metaphor for how freedom is often curtailed under the guise of love. “We see it all around us. In the name of love and concern, restrictions are imposed,” he says. “The story examines the idea of freedom, and how it gets entangled with superstition.”

Though the film follows three female protagonists, Praveen is not fond of the term female-centric film. “We don’t call a film male-centric, so why make that distinction here?” he laughs. Still, he acknowledges the reality — that the industry often sees things differently, and writers and directors continue to struggle when it comes to getting stories with female leads backed by producers.