Audiences Have Made Our Trust Come True: Anand Deverakonda on EPIC

Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, who won appreciation as a pair with the blockbuster Baby, have reunited for the youthful entertainer EPIC – FIRST SEMESTER. The film marks the silver-screen directorial debut of Aditya Hasan, who impressed Telugu audiences with the successful web series 90s.

Presented by Srikara Studios and produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, EPIC – FIRST SEMESTER hit theatres on September 11, following its premieres on September 10. The film received an encouraging response from the premiere shows, particularly for its natural humour, youthful romance and relatable emotions.

Following the positive response, the team interacted with the media and shared their happiness over the audience reception.

Anand Deverakonda: “The love story and family emotions are connecting”

Anand Deverakonda expressed his happiness over the response and said the film has connected strongly with audiences.

“The film has received a very good response right from the premieres. Many people are saying that, considering the content, this is a film that could have come five years later. The love story and family emotions are connecting with audiences. We made this film with complete honesty.

“I studied abroad, so I connected strongly with this story. The journey of a young man from a middle-class family, his emotions and his conversations with his father are very close to my heart. When I watched 90s, I felt Aditya Hasan was a great writer. After watching EPIC, people are once again appreciating his dialogues and writing.

“I connected with Aditya’s character, the writing and the love story. That is why I believed in this film and chose to do it. I am extremely happy that audiences are responding positively. The comedy in the first half and the emotions in the second half are being appreciated.”

Vaishnavi Chaitanya: “Audiences are seeing themselves in the characters”

Vaishnavi Chaitanya revealed that the response from female audiences has been particularly encouraging.

“Many people have messaged me after watching the film. They are talking about Aditya and Kadali’s characters, and many have told me that they felt as if they were seeing themselves on screen.

“This is a new attempt that all of us believed in. I watched the film with my friends and cousins, and they particularly appreciated the way it addresses subjects such as periods and PCOD. These are things that are difficult to understand unless someone actually experiences them.

“Every girl wants someone to care for her during such situations. In this film, the boy genuinely cares for and loves the girl. I think that has connected with audiences. The response from female audiences has been very encouraging.”

Naga Vamsi: “We made the film because we genuinely loved the story”

Producer Suryadevara Naga Vamsi said the film was made without relying purely on commercial calculations.

“EPIC is receiving a very good response, especially from the youth. We will plan a sequel soon.

“As a viewer, I personally like romantic comedies. I have wanted to make a good love story for a long time. When Aditya Hasan narrated this story, we liked it and decided to make the film.

“In a way, this can be called an experiment. We did not make the film based on commercial calculations. We made it because we genuinely loved the story. The response from audiences has made us very happy. The positive feedback, particularly from women, is especially encouraging.

“If you have not watched the film yet, please do watch it. There is no point where you will feel bored. I am confident that you will enjoy the film.”

Aditya Hasan: “We wanted to tell the story naturally and honestly”

Director Aditya Hasan explained that the film was inspired by real-life incidents and was designed to remain natural and relatable.

“People who have studied abroad will connect strongly with this film. I wrote the story based on incidents I have seen in real life. I wanted to tell it honestly and naturally rather than making it overly cinematic.

“Our belief in the film has come true. Most people who have watched it are saying that they liked it, and many have personally messaged me appreciating the film.

“Both 90s and EPIC were inspired by incidents I have seen in real life. However, 90s is a family story, while EPIC is a love story. The hero in 90s, when he is a young boy, is an extrovert, whereas the hero in EPIC, after growing up, becomes an introvert.

“The names and characters of Aditya and Kadali were created according to the story. For me, heroism is not just about fighting for a girl. Doing cute and thoughtful things for the girl is also heroism. We wanted to showcase that kind of natural and relatable heroism in EPIC – FIRST SEMESTER.”

EPIC – FIRST SEMESTER continues to receive encouraging feedback from audiences, particularly youngsters and women, for its blend of romance, comedy, family emotions and relatable characters.