Arjun Jandyala debuts as the director with 'Guna 369'. Starring Kartikeya in the lead, the mass entertainer hits the screens on August 2. In this interview, the director talks about what makes his film special, what to expect from it, how he entered the film industry and more.

Background & interests

I hail from a small village in Prakasam district. I studied my college in Ongole and 'Guna 369' is based in Ongole. I started working with Boyapati Srinu garu since 2005. He is the only director under whom I worked. Films have always interested me and I never saw myself as a director. I entered the film industry only because I like films. I used to write and direct small skits during my college days. Late Jandhyala garu is a distant relative of mine. It's not at all close.

A total family entertainer

I have been trying hard to become a director since 2014 or so. Many producers did like the story but they didn't respond well. I had long written a very emotional story. After watching 'Rx 100', I felt Kartikeya would be the most apt for it. The second half is totally unpredictable. You will find no adult content in 'Guna 369' and 'Hippi'. It's a total family entertainer. It's through my father that I could meet Kartikeya and narrate the story to him.

That's the theme

Kartikeya's character is highly relatable. It's the story of what happens in the hero's life after he studies B.Tech. The number 369 denotes the number assigned to the hero when he is jailed. "One shouldn't hurt others even at the cost of hurting oneself," the theme says. To ensure that the characters are natural, I set the story in the places where I grew up in. The film is neither sluggish nor predictable.

Intense emotions

The emotions in 'Guna 369' are intense. The film says that those who have a sense of responsibility have their weaknesses/limitations. If someone makes an offence, we just don't go to him and smash him. We fear consequences. My film touches upon this aspect and weaves a story around the principle.

Other highlights

Chaitan Bharadjwaj's music and RR have come out really well. Anagha's performance will be another highlight. She plays a town girl. The characters in the film are realistic, I didn't write them after shutting doors to real-life influences.