“Comedy Should Feel Real”: K.V. Anudeep on Funky, Working with Vishwak Sen, and Delivering a Fresh Romantic Entertainer

After the blockbuster success of Jathi Ratnalu, director K V Anudeep is back with Funky, a romantic comedy starring Vishwak Sen and Kayaadu Lohar. Ahead of the film’s February 13 release, the director spoke to the media about the film, his approach to comedy, and what audiences can expect.

After Jathi Ratnalu, expectations are huge. What made you choose Funky?

Funky is completely different from Jathi Ratnalu. This is an out-and-out romantic comedy and a family entertainer. While comedy is a major strength, there is also a strong love story and emotional family moments. I wanted to tell a story that feels fresh and relatable.

What is the idea behind the title Funky?

The title is catchy and youthful. It matches today’s generation and also perfectly suits the hero’s character. That’s why we locked it very early.

Can you tell us about Vishwak Sen’s character?

Vishwak plays a film director in this movie. While writing the role, I felt only he could pull it off. His comedy timing, especially in Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi, is excellent. He brings a lot of honesty and energy to the character.

Is Funky similar in humor to Jathi Ratnalu?

Not at all. The worlds are different. Funky has a film-industry backdrop, but the situations and emotions are designed in a way that common audiences can relate to. It reflects real-life experiences in a humorous way.

Some people say comedy films lack logic. What’s your response?

That’s a misconception. Just because there is a lot of comedy doesn’t mean there’s no logic. There is clear logic in all my films. Comedy works best when it is rooted in believable situations.

Many tried to recreate Jathi Ratnalu-style humor but failed. Why?

Comedy should feel natural. The characters and the world should feel close to real life. If audiences don’t connect emotionally, the humor won’t work. That’s something we were very careful about in Funky.

Do you appear in the film? Are you planning to act more?

I appear in a small guest role. But I don’t plan to become a full-time actor. Direction is my priority. I still have many stories to tell as a filmmaker.

The trailer comedy worked really well. Will you only make comedies?

No, I want to explore different genres. Trailers are cut to be highly entertaining. In Funky, apart from comedy, there is a beautiful love story and emotional depth. There are also a few surprises.

We hear there are several guest appearances. Can you tell us more?

Yes, directors Harish Shankar and Kalyan Shankar, along with producers Dil Raju and Suryadevara Naga Vamsi, appear in guest roles. These are not random cameos—they are part of the narrative and create humor through natural conversations.

Did the result of Prince affect you as a director?

Success and failure are part of filmmaking. For Prince, we didn’t get enough time to fully develop the script. For Funky, we took adequate time and worked extensively on the screenplay.

Who did you narrate the story to first?

I first narrated it to Naga Vamsi garu. He liked it immediately and agreed to produce the film.

Did Trivikram garu watch the film?

Yes, Trivikram Srinivas watched it during post-production. He liked the film and gave some valuable suggestions.

How is Naresh garu’s role in the film?

His character is very special. While writing it, I felt only Naresh garu could do justice to it. I’ve admired him since childhood and was happy to work with him again after Jathi Ratnalu.

Tell us about the music.

Working with Bheems Ceciroleo was very comfortable. He respects directors and has given excellent music that elevates the film.

What is the censor report?

The runtime is 2 hours and 5 minutes. The film has received a U/A certificate, and the censor board appreciated it.

What are your next projects?

I have commitments with three production houses. I’m writing a female-oriented script and also developing a story for Venkatesh Daggubati garu.

Produced by Sitara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, Funky is all set to arrive in theatres on February 13, promising a perfect mix of comedy, romance, and emotion for audiences this festive season.