Aditya Devulapally on ‘Dhandha’ Success
The vertical storytelling space has found a breakout success with Chai Shots’ latest sensation, Dhandha. Directed by Aditya Devulapally, the gripping microdrama has received widespread appreciation for its fast-paced narrative, fresh storytelling style, and cinematic presentation. Riding high on the overwhelming response, Aditya opened up about his filmmaking journey, the challenges of creating vertical content, his inspirations, and why he believes “Dhandha is Gen Z mass.”
Here are the highlights from the candid conversation:
“I Was a Topper, But Cinema Was Always My Dream”
Despite excelling academically, Aditya says his heart always belonged to cinema.
“I was a topper in studies, but I loved films since childhood. That passion pushed me to take a bold decision and drop out of engineering. My family later bought me a small camera after I expressed my interest in filmmaking. I entered the industry with absolutely no connections. Unlike many who claim to be outsiders but still have industry links, I’m a complete outsider.”
He pursued Mass Communication at St. Mary’s College, where professor Amrit introduced him to world cinema, exposing him to French, English, and international films that shaped his filmmaking sensibilities. A stint in journalism later helped him build valuable industry contacts before he narrated a crime story to Anurag Reddy of Chai Biscuit.
How Chai Shots Changed His Career
Aditya recalls that Anurag Reddy was impressed by his story but felt it wouldn’t easily find producers in Telugu cinema.
Eventually, Aditya joined Chai Shots as a Creative Producer, working on several projects before deciding it was time to direct.
“I told Anurag anna that I wanted to make something crazy. That’s how Dhandha happened.”
Rewriting ‘Dhandha’ Into His Own Vision
While Vijay Kumar wrote the original story, Aditya extensively reworked it.
“I rewrote nearly 40% of the script. I redesigned the backstories of Ganesh Thakur, Aravind and Prakash Thakur to make the narrative more complete. Later, Dora Sai Teja also became part of the project.”
“Not a Single Negative Review So Far”
The director is thrilled by the audience response.
“We’ve not received even one completely negative review. Viewers are appreciating the fresh making style, fast-paced screenplay, performances and music. Even Anurag anna has been receiving appreciation calls from several celebrities.”
Why He Chose ‘Dhandha’ Instead of His Own Script
Aditya says he instantly connected with the material.
“I admire filmmakers like Puri Jagannadh, Ram Gopal Varma and Upendra. While reading hundreds of scripts at Chai Shots, Dhandha felt like my kind of cinema. It had my raw energy. Vijay deserved full credit for the writing, and he was generous enough to let me reshape it.”
He says his goal was to bring cinematic storytelling to vertical content, an area that previously lacked strong narrative depth.
“Making Microdramas Is Harder Than Making Films”
One of Aditya’s biggest takeaways is that vertical storytelling is far more demanding than mainstream filmmaking.
“Every single scene in a microdrama has to feel like a climax. Unlike feature films where highs come at intervals, vertical content cannot afford slow moments. Making microdramas is actually tougher than making films.”
He adds:
“Around 80% of successful film directors might struggle if they attempt a microdrama because pacing is everything.”
Dialogues Were Inspired by Aravind’s Character
Aditya says the dialogues naturally evolved from the emotional depth of the protagonist.
“Aravind grew up in a library, constantly observing people. That personality inspired us to write fresh and memorable dialogues.”
Casting: Why Dora Sai Teja Was the Perfect Choice
The filmmaker admits he initially considered several actors before selecting Dora Sai Teja.
“There were many opinions about him initially, but once I met him, I realised he’s an incredible person. He immediately started discussing marketing strategies and numbers after hearing the story. He completely trusted me and gave everything for Dhandha.”
He also revealed that Nithin Prasanna instantly agreed to be part of the project after hearing the narration.
Every Technical Detail Was Carefully Designed
Aditya says he personally supervises every creative aspect of his projects.
Cinematographer Aswin Lenin created a unique visual palette inspired by currency notes, while composer Rishi M completed much of the background score even before filming began.
“Rishi is an extraordinary talent. Even if I rejected an idea, he’d come back with something even better within minutes. Telugu cinema needs talents like him.”
The Rajamouli Cameo That Never Happened
Laughing about the much-discussed moment, Aditya clarified:
“Rajamouli sir is a legend and the GOAT. I always wished he would appear in one of my projects, but I don’t have direct access to him. So I used his cybercrime awareness video as a tribute.”
Entertainment First, Awareness Next
Although designed as a thriller, Dhandha also highlights the growing threat of cybercrime.
“Our first goal was entertainment. But if audiences also become more aware of cyber fraud, it’s a win-win. We wanted to expose how cyber criminals operate while keeping viewers completely engaged.”
The Unique Characterization of Neeru
Speaking about the heroine’s role, Aditya jokingly said:
“Nobody pays much attention to a girl’s feet in cinema (laughs). Since Aravind’s childhood shaped his perspective, that detail became part of his character. Akshara understood it perfectly and delivered a wonderful performance.”
“Dora Sai Teja Will Become a Star”
Aditya is all praise for his lead actor.
“Teja has immense hunger to succeed. He wants audiences to one day happily spend ₹200 or ₹250 just to watch him. His dedication is unbelievable. The monologue in Episode 28 was completed in a single take.”
He confidently predicts:
“He’ll become a star in Telugu cinema. That’s my guarantee.”
The director also confirmed that he plans to reunite with Teja for a feature film.
“I’ll definitely make a full-length film with him, and it’ll be even wilder than Dhandha.”
Family Support Behind the Success
Aditya credits much of his determination to his mother.
“She always says, ‘A stubborn man is stronger than a king.’ That line even made its way into the series.”
His father, a fan of heist dramas like Money Heist, predicted Dhandha would become a hit immediately after hearing the story.
“Dhandha Is Gen Z Mass”
Summing up the series, Aditya says:
“If you want to know what Gen Z mass feels like, watch Dhandha. Not a single second feels wasted. If you begin the series underestimating microdramas, Dhandha will completely change your opinion.”
What’s Next?
The filmmaker revealed that he is currently writing a new project centered around a 50-year-old criminal, describing it as one of his most exciting stories so far.
An official announcement is expected within the next two to three months.
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