‘Bakasura Restaurant’ is a Complete Family Package – Director SJ Shiva
Director SJ Shiva promises a unique cinematic experience with Bakasura Restaurant, a film he describes as a “hunger comedy entertainer” — a new genre in Telugu cinema. Featuring comedian Praveen in the lead and Viva Harsha as the titular ghostly character, the film combines horror, comedy, thrill, and emotion into one wholesome package.
Produced by Lakshmaiah Achari and Janardhan Achari under the SJ Movies banner, the movie is all set for a worldwide release on August 8. In this exclusive interview, Director SJ Shiva shares his journey, vision, and the story behind this offbeat entertainer.
What inspired the story of Bakasura Restaurant?
Bakasura Restaurant is a “hunger comedy entertainer.” Telugu cinema has explored many genres — romantic comedies, thrillers, horror — but this one introduces a fresh concept. The story is centered around a food-loving ghost, and the chaos it brings to the lives of a group of bachelors. The humor, thrills, and emotions emerge naturally from this setup. It’s a clean family entertainer with a novel twist.
How did comedian Praveen become the lead actor?
Initially, we pitched the story to several mainstream heroes, but most of them wanted solo-hero films. Our film doesn’t follow that format — it’s an ensemble story driven by content. Around that time, we heard that Praveen was looking to make his debut as a lead. We approached him, narrated the story — and without hesitation, he said, “The story is the hero, let’s do it.” That clarity and confidence made it an easy decision.
Tell us a bit about your background and how you got into directing.
I pursued my Master’s in International Business Management in London. After returning, I worked as an assistant director on Virupaksha. My father, a film producer in the past, had a dream to make meaningful cinema. To fulfill that dream, I stepped into direction, and my elder brother came onboard as the producer. That’s how Bakasura Restaurant came to life.
Is the story entirely set in a restaurant?
Yes. It revolves around a young man with a dream of opening a restaurant. We’ve woven that backdrop with elements of horror, humor, thrill, and sentiment. The film’s strength lies in its clean comedy and relatability — a full-family package meant for all age groups.
You mentioned it’s a genre experiment. Could you elaborate?
Absolutely. It’s both a commercial experiment and a genre innovation. Think of films like Yamaleela or Ghatotkachudu — they blended fantasy with fun. Bakasura Restaurant follows a similar path. We believe the audience is ready for such different concepts. The idea of a gluttonous ghost wreaking havoc in a bachelor household is fun and fresh — and that’s what we’re bringing to the screen.
Is it true that Dil Raju’s team is distributing the film?
Yes, Sirish garu from SVC watched the film and appreciated the concept. He even had a one-hour discussion with us about the storyline. We are incredibly thankful and happy that a respected company like SVC is backing our theatrical release.
Some might question the budget for a film with no big stars. What’s your take?
We believed in the story and invested accordingly. Today, even having a big star doesn’t guarantee returns. Instead of spending on a star’s remuneration, we channeled that budget into the film’s production values. That approach is visible on screen — we made the film on a ₹5 crore budget, but it looks like a ₹12 crore product.
Who will connect with the story the most?
Anyone who has lived a bachelor life will instantly relate to this film. It’s filled with quirks, chaos, and nostalgia. Viva Harsha plays Bakasura — the food-loving ghost — and brings a whole new flavor to the narrative.
How was your experience directing your first film?
Honestly, it’s tough. In the industry, people rarely ask about the story or script. Instead, they ask: “Who’s the producer? What’s the budget?” I believe films are ultimately about storytelling and entertainment. We need to focus on the core — the content.
What kind of films do you want to make in the future?
I love the style of Vithalacharya — his fantasy-driven storytelling. I have a faction-action entertainer script ready. It’s a backdrop Telugu cinema hasn’t explored in a long time. I want to revive those classic genres in a fresh way.
Will SJ Movies continue as your production banner?
Yes, SJ Movies was launched to support fresh talent. While my next film may be under a different banner, SJ Movies will keep producing content and supporting upcoming directors.
Any plans for a sequel to Bakasura Restaurant?
No, this is a one-part story. The Bakasura character arc concludes with this film. We want to maintain the integrity of the story rather than force a sequel.
Finally, what’s your goal as a filmmaker?
My aim is to complete films efficiently and cost-effectively. I look up to directors like Puri Jagannadh garu — who are fast and focused. I believe that producers’ money should be spent wisely. That’s the only way to ensure the film industry remains healthy for everyone involved.
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