Thammudu Brings Heartfelt Family Drama with a Bold Narrative Twist – Sriram Venu
Sri Venkateswara Creations Presents “Thammudu” – An Emotionally Powerful Family Drama Starring Nithiin, Directed by Sriram Venu
Following the blockbuster success of Sankranthiki Vasthunnam, the prestigious banner Sri Venkateswara Creations returns with an emotionally gripping film titled Thammudu. Starring Nithiin in the lead role, the film is produced by Dil Raju and Shirish, and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Venu. Featuring prominent performances by Laya, Varsha Bollamma, and Sapthami Gowda, the film is set for a grand worldwide theatrical release on July 4.
In a recent interaction with print and digital media, director Sriram Venu opened up about the film’s vision, creative choices, and unique elements that make Thammudu a standout.
A Story Rooted in Emotion
“Thammudu is a deeply emotional film centered on family values and layered storytelling,” shared the director. “The trailer offers a glimpse of the narrative’s emotional core. While the censor board suggested a few cuts to get a U/A certificate, we collectively decided to retain the film’s authenticity and release it with an ‘A’ certificate. There’s no excessive violence – it’s just that the new board is more stringent. We respect that, but we stayed true to our story.”
Women at the Heart of the Story
Highlighting the strong female presence in the film, Sriram Venu noted, “This is not your typical hero-centric story. Alongside Nithiin, five powerful female characters—played by Laya, Varsha Bollamma, Sapthami Gowda, Swasika Vijay, and our daughter Dithya—play key roles and propel the narrative forward. Much like Kamal Haasan’s role in Vikram, Nithiin’s character is part of a broader emotional arc. The title Thammudu perfectly encapsulates the essence of the story.”
From Newsprint to Screen
Interestingly, the idea for Thammudu was sparked by a newspaper article. “I read something that stayed with me,” said Sriram. “That eventually evolved into the script. Dil Raju sir backed the project instantly without budget constraints. We initially collaborated on ICON, and Thammudu took off soon after. Nithiin was our top choice after a careful casting process.”
Laya’s Role and Casting Journey
Revealing some behind-the-scenes stories, he shared, “We had initially approached a former star heroine for Laya’s role. She liked the story but couldn’t join due to personal reasons. She did promise to collaborate in the future. Eventually, Laya ma’am stepped in and committed over 90 shooting days with great dedication.”
Action with Purpose
“Rather than flashy fight sequences, Thammudu features emotionally grounded action episodes that serve the story,” said the director. “I never compromise on storytelling. Every filmmaker has a signature, and mine is the presence of strong female characters. That’s consistent in all my scripts.”
Archery and Visual Grandeur
A standout element in Thammudu is the inclusion of archery. “Archery requires immense mental and physical strength. It’s one of the most ancient and noble sports—remember Lord Rama and Arjuna? I’ve always wanted to incorporate it, and this film gave me the opportunity. Nithiin trained for 15 days under a professional coach.”
The director also praised his cinematographers—Sethu, Sameer Reddy, and Guhan—for bringing his visual template to life. “Despite tough conditions during our forest shoots, the team delivered a visually stunning film.”
Sapthami, Ajaneesh & Tightly-Paced Storytelling
“We were impressed by Sapthami Gowda’s performance in Kantara and felt she was a perfect fit. She gave a remarkable performance. Our music director Ajaneesh Loknath has crafted an extraordinary score that enhances the viewing experience—especially in theatres,” Sriram added. “The film is tightly edited with no unnecessary scenes. Even Dil Raju sir didn’t suggest any cuts after watching the final version.”
Creative Freedom Under Dil Raju’s Banner
“Working under Dil Raju sir’s banner is always a creatively liberating experience. He gave me full freedom and only offered constructive suggestions. Though we initially planned to wrap the film in eight months, it took two years due to various factors, yet we stayed within the original budget.”
He also acknowledged the current promotional trends. “While I couldn’t participate in all promotions due to post-production work, our team is giving its best. Directors now often lead promotions, and we’re embracing that too. Thammudu is essentially a pride-driven story centered on a powerful brother-sister bond, but it’s much more than that. Our daughter Dithya, who plays a crucial role, was selected after three rounds of auditions and shot for 70 days.”
On OTT, Pan-India Films & Industry Evolution
Sriram confirmed that Netflix has acquired the digital rights for Thammudu, a shift from their previous partnerships. “Netflix came forward with a great offer, and considering Nithiin’s strong box office run, we’re satisfied with the OTT and satellite deals.”
Speaking about the fate of ICON, the director remarked, “When ICON didn’t materialize as planned, I wasn’t disheartened. I’ve already faced a 7-year gap between my first two films, during which I was married with children. I didn’t let that phase affect me negatively. Instead, I worked on other projects with Dil Raju sir.”
Reflecting on the future of cinema, he said, “No matter how advanced AI or technology gets, human creativity remains the soul of filmmaking. Tools may evolve, but it’s the human effort that brings stories to life.”
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