For a young assistant director, its a fairy tale debut. Gokul Krishna would be thanking heavens for the kind of project he's landed himself with on his maiden attempt. First, the power house of Indian films endorsing you, then an offer to remake a hugely popular and sucecssful film, a lead pair that is quite successful in their own rights individually, Gokul Krishna couldn't have asked for a better pitch to play on.

His actors have decent things to say about him especially the confidence and the clarity with which he does his work. He returns the compliments by thanking them for being the best partners they have been on his journey. This goes on to show the comeraderie which prevailed on the floors while shooting. All the three looked like they have just come back from a family outing, not a film production.

In an interview on the eve of the release of 'Aha Kalyanam', Gokul talks about the film, his actors, crew, the story, the backdrop, music and everything elase that matters. He gives us a feeling he is the boy next door with lot of fresh ideas up his mind waiting to be unfolded.

Excerpts from the interview...

Can't Believe I Am Here...

I am a commerce grad, worked with Vishnuvardhan for four films as an assistant director and Aha Kalyanam is my debut film. Its an honor to be working with YRF and especially for a debutante, it feels like landing straight into God's lap.

I Wanted To Do Aha Kalyanam...

I was meeting producers with my own script but when Padam Kumar, one of the producers I met said he was planning to remake BBB, I pitched my own with a visual presentation and they liked. I don't mind if its a remake or a straight script. And especially when its such a universal script like BBB and the characters like Shakti and Shruthi whom everyone would relate to. Even before an offer was made to me, I was thinking a lot on the idea of remaking it for Southern languages. Its a coincidence that it landed with me. I don't have any apprehensions about debuting with a remake.

You Will Take Home A Lot Of Wedding Ideas...

Wedding Planning is just a next level management for wedding contractors whom we all know even in villages. So, no problems with the connect there. More importantly, this is the love story of Shakthi and Shruthi and the wedding planning is only a backdrop, a visually rich one at that. Everyone has an idea of what a wedding is but people will certainly feel fresh about 'Oh, weddings can be organized this way too..'

Better Than I Conceived...

The movie has come out better than what we thought and the credit goes to my team... Cameraman, Art director, Music director, Nani, Vani and above all my producers. While we initially write the story, we have an image in our minds and as we start working, it evolves. So, I am glad the output is way better than the conception.

Huge Exercise...

We had close to 200 auditions for the roles of Shakthi and Shruthi since we initially thought we would go for a fresh talent. Post the exercise, when I saw Ala Modalaindi, I thought Nani is the guy. Nani has a unique charm that makes him quite lovable. Vani is a North girl and we were apprehensive about how she would suit Shruthi. But first look at the audition, she bowled us over one with the looks and two with the energy. Watch the movie, you will agree with me that Nani-Vani are the best cast for Shakthi-Shruthi.

Nani-Vani The Sweetest...

I never felt that Nani or Vani are more experienced than me. Rather go to say that they never let me feel that. We had this great friendly working relationship among ourselves sans any tantrums, any egos and we could transfer the positive energy on the floor to the screen. I thank both nani and Vani for the same.

Nani's Makeover Quite Interesting...

Nani looks quite young and fresh. It was needed for his character who is fresh out of college and has no goal. The design of costumes, hair style, the stub, the walk and the body language... everything had to be different from his previous films. Nani and the stylists worked together hard and looks it worked well on screen. For Vani, she perhaps had it in her and not much had to be worked on. Its a conscious decision to have Vani look elder to Nani coz it goes well with the character chemistry.

You Won't Feel The Burden Of Songs...

Though there are ten songs in the album we have only seven in the film. And of the seven, only 3 songs have Lip-Sync. All the songs go with the story and they are there coz the script demanded, not coz we wanted to have them. So, I think each and every song will be enjoyed by the audience the way we did.

Come, Invest In Aha Kalyanam...

The movie is a 'Paisa Vasool' for sure. This is a complete family entertainer and will give you smiles all the way I assure. I can even go on to say that this will be a good investment for your own wedding plans coz you will learn a lot from Shakthi and Shruthi in the movie on how one can organize a marriage.

Some Important Changes...

I kept the essence of the original in the film but customized it for the Southern nativity. Especially since this is to do with weddings and the way they are done is quite different from North to South, we had to rewrite the part. And even the love story had to be rewritten for our emotions and expressions.

Telugu Is A Dubbed Version...

We thought of doing a bilingual initially but coz of some logistical reasons, we had to settle down for a dubbed version in Telugu but you wouldn't feel it on screen I promise.

Simran Is Powerful...

Simran has done a cameo, a powerful one at that. We needed a strong name for the role and its nice of her to have obliged it.

Dream Debut...

Working with Yahs Raj is a dream come true and doing it in my debut is like a surreal experience. So, Aha Kalyanam is my identity and I hope I made a good product out of it. I personally like Romantic comedies and perhaps that's the reason why I feel Aha Kalyanam is close to my heart.

Watch It On Screen...

Dear IndiaGlitz viewers, Aha Kalyanam is releasing on the 21st February. So, please go to your nearest theater and watch the film. Please watch only in theater, you will love it. Thank You...