‘Jethli’ Is a Complete Entertaining Comedy Thriller with a Strong Story – Producer Cherry
Tollywood’s favorite duo, actor Satya and director Ritesh Rana, are set to entertain audiences with Jethli. Produced by Chiranjeevi (Cherry) and Hemalatha Pedamallu under the Clap Entertainment banner, the film is presented by Mythri Movie Makers. Miss Universe India Rhea Singha is making her Telugu debut as the female lead, while Vennela Kishore and Ajay play key roles.
The teaser and trailer have already received an excellent response, creating strong buzz around the film. Jethli is all set for a grand worldwide theatrical release on May 1. On this occasion, producer Cherry shared insights about the film during a press interaction.
What attracted you to this story when director Ritesh narrated it?
This is a completely unique subject. Nearly 80% of the film takes place inside a flight, which is a very interesting concept. To my knowledge, Telugu cinema hasn’t seen a film set almost entirely on a flight before. Ritesh always comes up with fresh ideas, and I loved the story the moment he narrated it.
We share a great bond—I consider him like my own son. There’s mutual respect between us, and I genuinely like most of the stories he brings. Working with him is always very comfortable.
Mythri Movie Makers is known for big-budget films, while you focus on concept-based films. What’s your approach?
Mythri Movie Makers is one of the biggest production houses in India and a matter of pride for Telugu cinema. Being associated with such a banner is truly special.
Personally, I’m more inclined toward small and experimental films. From a production standpoint, I prefer stories that involve relatively lower risk. That’s how we made films like Mathu Vadalara, Happy Birthday, Meter, and now Jethli. Even though Happy Birthday and Meter didn’t perform as expected in theatres, they still delivered good commercial returns.
Was the film initially planned with a big hero?
Yes, initially we developed it as a serious thriller and narrated it to a few big actors. However, the story didn’t align with their image. It’s not a typical hero-centric film. That’s when Ritesh reworked it into a comedy thriller.
Some scenes in the film require excellent comic timing, which is why actors like Satya were perfect. When we first narrated the story to him, he was a bit hesitant and wondered, “Am I the hero?” But once the director explained the character in detail, he agreed. Every character in the film has equal importance, and even the action sequences are designed in an entertaining, cinematic style.
Tell us about Rhea Singha
Rhea Singha is a very talented actress. She has a strong and impactful role in the film and has delivered a commendable performance.
How do you judge scripts?
No one can predict exactly what the audience will like. However, we can ensure that the story feels fresh and unique. When a script has novelty, it’s worth taking risks and experimenting.
About Kaala Bhairava’s music?
Ritesh has been working with the same technical team since his first film. They all share a great understanding and operate on the same wavelength, which helps him achieve the desired output. The team has done a fantastic job on this film as well.
How is the final output?
We’ve watched the film, and it has turned out extremely well. It’s a complete comedy thriller where humor works perfectly. Performances by Satya, Vennela Kishore, Gundu Sudarshan, Ajay, and others will thoroughly entertain the audience.
A comedy film isn’t just about laughs—it also needs a strong story. Jethli has both, and we are confident it will definitely work.
Upcoming projects?
I’ll be collaborating with Ritesh again for a horror film. After that, we are planning Mathu Vadalara 3. I’ve also heard scripts from three other directors, but those projects will take some time to materialize.
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