Anil Ravipudi is on cloud nine. As he celebrates his birthday on November 23, the director has taken stock of his career in an exclusive interview. Catch him talk about his association with Dil Raju, why he is thankful to Kalyanram, his moment of pride, working experience with Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu, so on and so forth. He has also announced 'F3'.

The journey of 'Pataas'

My journey as a director started off with 'Pataas', thanks to Nandamuri Kalyanram garu. His trust made me a director. I will always be grateful to him for the breakout opportunity. Doing that film taught me how to balance out while making a film in any given circumstance. I tried to mount it on a rich scale with the limited resources I had. My family enjoyed watching the movie and it will always be my most memorable moment. I still remember the moments when my favourite VV Vinayak garu called me up after watching it. Dil Raju garu, Sirish garu had watched the first copy and gave a thumbs-up. BA Raju garu and Jaya garu spoke with me for more than an hour. Jaya garu spoke with me about the movie for 40 minutes. She could predict what I am enjoying today.

Collaboration with Dil Raju for 'Supreme' and other movies

After 'Pataas', it is as if Dil Raju garu has adopted me. I have been doing films under him continuously since then. During the making of 'Supreme', Sai Dharam Tej showered his affection on me. He addresses me as 'anna'. He is always comfortable to work with. The Rajasthan schedule during its making was thrilling, especially the shoot of the lorry chase scene. The 'Andam Hindolam' song remix was another highpoint for me. We wanted to live up to the high expectations and therefore chose the Jodhpur Palace as the backdrop. The climax episode with the differently-abled was another memorable experience. The action scene became the talk of the industry after the movie's release. The film fetching Nandi Awards was a moment of pride.

The experiment called 'Raja The Great'

It was a challenge to showcase a star hero as a blind person. Ravi Teja garu believed in the script. All the credit goes to him. He gave his all and put his soul into the character. The interval fight scene gives goosebumps even now. During the making of 'Sarileru Neekevvaru', Mahesh Babu garu told me the interval fight scene of 'Raja The Great' came out really well. Imagine a superstar like him remembering the interval bang of a movie. The 'Gunna Gunna Mamidi' song was another highlight. It was a magical experience that had the audience dancing in theatres. I try to add a message to my story. I am glad that I scored a hit despite taking a risk.

'F2' and the experience of it

It's a game-changer for me. Having done three action movies, I wanted to make a family entertainer and so I did this movie. Venkatesh garu is the only actor I could think of for the role. I drew from real-life experiences of married men in writing the script. In 1999, I was witness to the audience convulsing with laughter while watching 'Kshemanga Velli Laabhanga Randi'. It's only 'F2' that repeated the experience in the theatre. The film recently won the Indian Panorama Award. It's only after this movie that Superstar Mahesh Babu garu offered me a movie. Dil Raju garu was very sure that the movie will earn the maximum profits among all my movies. And it did. I feel proud that I got to work with an actor like Venkatesh garu. It was a fanboy moment for me. I am ready to work with him on 10 movies at a stretch if he wants.

'Sarileru Neekevvaru' & journey with Mahesh Babu

I gave a 45-minute narration and Mahesh Babu garu promised that he will do the film. I had tears in my eyes. On the day of the movie's release, I had the same high I had on the day of the release of 'Pataas'. It was shot in less than six months. And Vijayashanthi garu made a comeback with the film. Mahesh Babu garu was the film's biggest pillar. The film has been his career's biggest blockbuster and has remained a Top 5 movie in the history of Telugu cinema.

Five blockbusters in a row

I feel lucky. When my friends call them Pancha Ratnas, I feel very proud. I have grown career-wise and financially over the years. I have started a new journey with my long-time friend S Krishna, whose story has impressed me. I am writing the screenplay of his movie 'Gaali Sampath', which I am presenting. Writing the screenplay is my help to him as a friend. I am close to the film's producers as well.

'F3' to be kickstarted from December 14

Dil Raju garu has planned the first schedule from December 14. This will be more fun to watch than 'F2'. We are going to make you laugh out loud after you shed the corona stress. Whether or not coronavirus will have a vaccine, 'F3' is going to tickle the funny bone in a big way.

Another film with Mahesh Babu?

I am always open to working with him. He should just give me a call. I am confident about readying a script for him in no time and get his approval pretty fast.

A special birthday

This is a special day because of the phase of my career. My wife Bhargavi and child Shreya have been joined by Ajay Suryansh (son). So, I am extremely happy.