Producers Naveen Yerneni, Ravi Shankar Yalamanchili, and Mohan Cherukuri of Mythri Movie Makers in this interview talk about their upcoming movie 'Savyasachi', when Mahesh Babu's movie with Sukumar will go on the floors, doing smaller films after producing behemoths, and more.

Why have you chosen to release 'Savyasachi' and 'Amar Akbar Anthony' on November 2 and 16, respectively? Both are your movies and you didn't feel there should be a gap of a month at least?

There are so many movies coming in December. On November 29, '2.0' is coming. In December, there are going to be Telangana polls and quite a few releases on the 21st. In January, big films will rule the roost. So, we chose November 16 for 'AAA'.

How do you take decisions regarding a movie?

We take collective decisions but listen to the story narration individually. We all hail from Vijayawada and belonged to the same batch as youngsters.

Madhavan being part of 'Savyasachi' has become a big thing. Is his role full-fledged in the movie?

It was the director's choice to cast Madhavan garu in the negative role. His dubbed movies like 'Sakhi' and 'Cheli' were big hits. He was keen to do this straight Telugu movie. The hero vs villain play is a full-fledged one in the second half. Madhavan garu used to improvise on the sets, spontaneously. He is versatile. We have an agreement with him not to release 'Savyasach' in Tamil. We will release only the Telugu version in Tamil Nadu.

What drove you to produce the movie? Is 'Savyasachi' an action movie?

We loved the very concept of the movie. The behaviour of the left hand leads to comical and emotional situations. Don't call it an action movie. There are only two-three fights in the movie. It's not an action-loaded movie. The first half is hilarious.

'Ninnu Road Meeda' was supposed to be done with Tamannaah Bhatia. Why didn't you work with her?

The situation of the song didn't warrant someone not part of the story to come and dance. We brainstormed a lot and decided that it wouldn't be apt if Tamannaah or some other one is seen. So, it was shot on the lead pair in the end.

You are producing small movies of late. Why?

We wanted to do only big movies in the beginning. In 2016, noticing the market trends, we decided to produce small ones. In 2017, we okayed two small movies. We are doing a movie with Rs 1 Cr budget. It's being done entirely by newcomers. Ritesh is the director. It will go on the floors in 10 days.

You are going to work with Vijay Deverakonda once again after 'Dear Comrade'. Same with Sukumar after 'Rangasthalam'. What makes you repeat a hero or a director? You are working with two Mega heroes at a time. How did it happen?

It all depends on their comfort level and our happiness with them. It's a coincidence that we are making a film each with Sai Dharam Tej and Vaishnav Tej. We had been wanting to work with Sai for long. As for Vaishnav's movie, Sukumar Writings came up with the right story and we decided to co-produce.

When is the 'Theri' remake with Santosh Srinivas and Ravi Teja happening?

We are borrowing just a thread from 'Theri'. The rest of the story will be fresh. Santosh Srinivas has written a new story.

Why have you stopped distributing movies in Overseas territory?

We are not distributing movies overseas. We are not in a position to visit the US and a distributor has to be there at least two weeks in advance to make arrangements. It's difficult to do that when one is busy with production works in India.

Akkineni fans were disappointed when 'Savyasachi' was repeatedly postponed. How do you see that?

There was 'Shailaja Reddy Alludu' in between right. Both 'Srimanthudu' and 'Janatha Garage' were postponed. 'Rangasthalam' was delayed by more than two months. Delays happen and they are unavoidable at times.

You have always clinged to DSP, with the exception of 'Savyasachi' and 'Amar Akbar Anthony'. Why so?

Devi Sri Prasad garu is one of the main reasons for our success. We are going to work with him on four movies next.

Wasn't Nani supposed to do 'Chitralahari'? What made you go for Sai Dharam Tej?

Nani has already done the romantic genre. He is capable of doing everything. We will definitely plan a movie with him.

When is the Mahesh Babu-Sukumar movie going on the floors? Is it true that it has a Razakars backdrop?

The Razakar backdrop news is a rumour. 'Maharshi' will release on April 5. Our film with Mahesh Babu garu will start in April or May. Sukumar garu is ready with the entire structure of the script.

You were supposed to do a film with Pawan Kalyan after 'Agnyaathavaasi'. What happened to that? Also, what about your film with Trivikram?

Pawan Kalyan garu might do a movie with us. We are hoping so, although he is in politics. With Trivikram garu, things should fall into place. He has some other obligations and we are biding our time.