‘Mithra Mandali’ is an Enjoyable Ride for Everyone, Say Producers Kalyan Manthina and Bhanu Pratapa
Featuring Priyadarshi and Niharika NM in the lead roles, Mithra Mandali is directed by Vijayender, presented by Bunny Vas, and produced by Kalyan Manthina, Bhanu Pratapa, and Dr. Vijeyender Reddy Theegala. The film is all set for a grand theatrical release on October 16.
Ahead of its release, producers Kalyan Manthina and Bhanu Pratapa shared their journey, creative process, and memorable moments from the making of Mithra Mandali in an engaging conversation with the media.
The Journey of ‘Mithra Mandali’
“Bunny Vas is a very close friend of ours,” the producers began. “We’ve worked with him for years at Geetha Arts on films like Kotabommali PS, Aay, Thandel, and Single. He had been travelling with this story for quite some time and asked us to listen to it.”
At that point, Kalyan Manthina — who was primarily focused on his business ventures — and Bhanu Pratapa were planning to start their own production house. “When we heard the story, we loved it instantly. It’s a complete entertainer from start to finish. We decided this would be our first film, along with two other upcoming projects. We truly owe this story to Vasu garu,” they shared.
On the Director and the Scripting Process
Speaking about director Vijayender, the producers were full of praise:
“Vijayender is a brilliant director. He has earlier worked with talented filmmakers like Anudeep, Mad Kalyan, and Aditya Hasan. When he approached us, he already had a fully developed script. The way he executed the film was as impressive as the way he wrote it. It never felt like a debut film at all.”
They further added, “We started a writers’ room where stories like Aay and Thandel were born. That’s why we were also involved as co-producers for those films. We stay connected to the scripting process until it reaches a level we’re completely satisfied with.”
Active Involvement as Producers
“As producers, we’re deeply involved in the creative process,” they explained. “From discussions to brainstorming ideas, we make sure our input adds value to the storytelling. We don’t just finance a film — we nurture it creatively. That’s been our philosophy from day one.”
First Experience as Producers
Describing their first production experience, the duo said,
“It’s been an incredibly enriching journey. We exchanged ideas, discussed every detail, and made decisions collectively. Naturally, there were creative differences at times, but our focus was always on delivering the best possible film for the audience.”
On Brahmanandam’s Role
“Brahmanandam garu’s character is one of the biggest highlights of Mithra Mandali,” they revealed. “Interestingly, the ‘Jambar Gimbar Lala’ song wasn’t part of the original plan. After completing the film, we felt something was missing — a spark of fun. So, we decided to add this song featuring Brahmanandam garu. He absolutely loved the lyrics and enjoyed the shoot thoroughly. It turned out to be one of the most entertaining parts of the film.”
On Priyadarshi and Niharika’s Characters
The story is set in a fictional town called Jangli Pattanam, created by the director. “The characters and situations are both humorous and relatable, especially for young audiences,” they shared.
“Niharika plays a sharp, satirical, and witty character that perfectly matches her personality. When Allu Aravind garu saw her for the role, he immediately gave his approval.”
Releasing During the Diwali Rush
Speaking about competing with other big Diwali releases, the producers said,
“Festivals always bring multiple films to theatres, but audiences ultimately support good content. We’re confident that Mithra Mandali will stand out as a wholesome family entertainer this festive season.”
Future Projects
Looking ahead, they revealed exciting plans:
“We want to explore all genres. After this comedy entertainer, our next project will be a horror film. Regardless of scale — big or small — our focus will always be on strong storytelling and meaningful content.”
Final Thoughts
With its youthful energy, witty humor, and engaging storytelling, Mithra Mandali promises to be a complete family entertainer that will connect with audiences across age groups. The film hits theatres worldwide on October 16.
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