Whenever the acclaimed director Chandrasekhar Yeleti is coming, the discerning audience wait eagerly. After telling a treasure hunt thriller, Yeleti is now arriving with a human drama. In this exclusive interview to IndiaGlitz, Yeleti shares a lot about 'Manamantha', which is releasing on Aug 5.

He also talks about the changing trends, why he has been able to make only six movies in thirteen years, his sensibilities and more.

'Manamantha' comes across as a human drama. What is the inspiration behind it? Asking it because such dramas have some inspiration or the other.

There is not one situation, but many incidents have inspired me to pen a film like this. There are many observations I have made.

Are there any references from your personal or professional life?

No, nothing like that. The lives of all and many (have influenced me). The film has four different stories spanning four different characters belonging to four age groups. In each age, we are different. As children, we react in particular ways. As adults, we are different as we lose innocence. When we become family guys, our obligations overrule us. By now, we would have forgotten our wishes we had as youngsters. We are bothered only about how we survive this month. 'Manamantha' is peppered with interesting turns.

It's a family entertainer, which is full of emotions.

This has been made as a Telugu-Malayalam bi-lingual. What about nativity issues?

This film is 100 % apt for Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil (dubbed). I felt Mohanlal garu would be apt for the role. I thought I will do a bi-lingual if he comes on board. The superstar's presence gives our film an edge in Malayalam.

We have shot two different versions, one in Malayalam and one in Telugu. The story is the same. Since my sensibilities are not language-specific, I didn't have to make too many changes.

We have a star like Venkatesh here. Why not him instead of a Mohanlal?

Yes, Venkatesh garu is a star the family audiences love to watch. But he has his own image, and expectations are there. I can`t breach these. It will be problematic. On the other hand, we have no expectations from Mohanlal garu. One always has to keep a star's image in mind. I can't have Venkatesh garu in a film which has four stories. People will not like if he is seen in only one story. If I write a story that suits Venkatesh garu, I will definitely approach him.

Is the screenplay style similar to that of 'Chandamama Kathalu'?

Many films may be there. For example, 'Vedam'. (Smiles).

The characters in 'Manamantha' come from the middle-class. Why only middle class?

As I come from a middle-class background, I definitely know the pain.I can relate easily. I can explore the emotions well.

Money plays an important role in your films. Be it 'Aithe', 'Anukokunda Oka Roju' (Jagapathi Babu's character), or 'Sahasam', they all had money at the centre.

No, it`s not like that in the case of 'Manamantha'. Just that the trailer was cut like that. We found it would be interesting that way. 'Prayanam' was not about money.

Why is it that you have made only 6 films in 13 years?

The main reason is that it takes 1 ½ years of time to write a story, screenplay and also do direction. Moreover, a film with Uday Kiran and Prathyusha got shelved after my first film. Another one got shelved after 'Prayanam'. If I speed up, I can do more films.

Does taking gap after a film lead to quality?

If the script is bound, it will take just 2 months to shoot a film. If the story is not there, there is delay. If I took someone else's story, I too can make a film at a fast pace. A few directors are capable of writing their next film even as they are shooting their current project. I am not capable of that.

All your films are different from each other. Was it all planned?

I never planned for all that. What I take up to make depends on what inspires me at a particular point of time. If my intention was to do different genres for the sake of it, I would have done a horror movie by now.

You have produced 'Prayanam'. What are your future plans as a producer?

I will produce again. Whenever I find a film is too experimental, I will do it in my own production. I can't expect someone else to invest in a film that takes place at one place for 2 ½ hours. I don`t have that much money to produce the films of my assistants as some people are doing.

How do you feel when your proteges like Hanu Raghavapudi go places?

I feel very proud. I tell my assistants from day one to have the goal of being a director one day. I also suggest them to meet this or that producer to narrate a story, etc. I give my opinions when asked for. I advised Radhakrishna to not go for a title like 'Jil'. But people liked it. (Smiles).

Hanu has your influence on him. Isn't it?

I tell my assistants to not follow my style. I tell them to prove their talent in the commercial format to begin with. Nobody told me such things when I began.

Films like 'Kshanam' and 'Pelli Choopulu' prove that you can make big money even if the investment is small. What is your opinion on the changing trends?

Since a new generation has arrived, they are coming with new thoughts. The growth in the mutilplex phenomenon and the expansion of the overseas market have only helped.

Is it the actor who fits int your story or is it the other way round?

It's actors who are chosen as per the story. But sometimes I had to change the script to suit an actor. 'Okkadunnadu' was planned with Surya. When Gopichand was roped in, I changed it from love-cum-action genre to more of an action-oriented one.

As for Mohanlal's dubbing for the Telugu version, how did you go about it?

He wo