'Thank You', starring Naga Chaitanya and Raashi Khanna, hits the screens on July 22. In this interview, director Vikram K Kumar talks about the film at length. He also gives an update on his upcoming project, 'Dhootha'.

Here are the highlights of his interview:

We use the word 'Thank you' for simple things in life. It is used casually and its value has been brought down because of the same reason. The sad part is that it is hardly said by us when we are supposed to.

This script came my way when I was making 'Hello'. I liked the span of the story, how it covers three phases in the male protagonist's life. Both 'Premam' (Malayalam) and 'Autograph' ('Naa Autograph' in Telugu) are great movies. It's good that people are comparing 'Thank You' with those films. Let me say that my film has a different story altogether.

Story-wise, 'Thank You' chronicles various stages in Abhiram's life. 'Manam' and '24' covered multiple phases but they were either time-travel or fantasy stories. 'Thank You' has got non-linear narration and is not in the fantasy zone.

When BVS Ravi narrated the story, I liked the soul. It's a powerful story. The soul of the story is Ravi's creation. I got connected with the emotions. If I have executed the story written by someone else, it's because of the emotional strength.

Raashi Khanna's character is very important in Abhiram's journey. She made me cry during one of the scenes in the film. Malavika Nair is an underrated actor and her stocks are going to rise after 'Thank You'. Avika Gor needs no introduction; she is one of the best actresses.

As part of homework, Chay opted for a 50-day rigorous diet. We think actors have it easy but that's not the case.

Music is key for subjects of this sort. SS Thaman has nailed it, especially with the background score. The farewell song and other songs are spot-on.

I have known Dil Raju garu for so many years. It has been an amazing journey working on 'Thank You' under his banner. It's a perfect film to start our beginnig. I hope our relationship is going to be a long one.

We all think that we are self-made. We are deluded in thinking that we owe nobody anything. Our success is not our own achievement. Our ego prevents us from seeing the point. Even if some of us realize it, we don't have the egolessness to confess it. That's why being thankful is important. So many people play an indispensable role in our lives, in our journey towards success.

There is a belief in destiny in all of us. I once came across the knowledge system called Nadi Astrology. Our names, our lineage, our life story.. everything was written millennia ago. It's so fascinating!

I am in discussions with Mythri Movie Makers. The scripting is yet to be completed. It is too early to talk about it. I will be doing an action film in Hindi.

'Dhootha' with Amazon Prime Video is a horror series. Naga Chaitanya's portions have been completed. Another fornight of production works are pending.

I have been mooting a sequel to '24'. In fact, I have also penned four pages of story. I am yet to figure out how to unveil Atreya, the male protagonist, in the sequel.