Most of the times, we hear the names of Ram Gopal Varma and Mani Ratnam when it comes to the list of directors who have inspired contemporary filmmakers. But Koratala Siva was heavily influenced by a particularly not-so-popular-down-South director. He is Rajkumar Santoshi.

"Since the days I was a writer, I have been following his formula. If you see his movies, you don't find unnecessary comedy scenes, etc. He takes up a point and narrates it intensely without bothering about anything else. When I write my movies, I do the same. Some or the other assistant advises me that I should add a comedy scene. But that's not my thing. I will write comedy scenes the day I make a comedy film. Not otherwise," Koratala Siva says. Santoshi is known for acclaimed films like 'Damini', 'Lajja', 'Pukar' and 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh'.

The other director who influenced him is Mani Ratnam. "I am a big fan of his films like 'Gitanjali', 'Bombay' and 'Roja'," says Koratala.

He is currently making a film with Megastar Chiranjeevi.