“Gedela Raju” Is Very Special to Me – Actor & Music Director Raghu Kunche
The upcoming film “Gedela Raju”, headlined by Raghu Kunche, carries the intriguing tagline “Kakinada Taluka Cinema.” The film also features Ramachandram Punyamurtula, Vikas, Tina Shwavy, Mounika, and Ravi Chinnibilli in key roles. Its teaser, trailer, and songs have already garnered a positive response, raising expectations.
Presented by Raghu Kunche under the Moturi Talkies banner, “Gedela Raju” is directed by Chaitanya Moturi and produced by Vani Ravikumar Moturi. The film is all set for a grand theatrical release on the 24th of this month. In a recent interaction, Raghu Kunche shared insights into the film and his journey.
A Film Close to the Heart
“I’ve worked as both an actor and a music director in several films, but ‘Gedela Raju’ feels truly special,” says Raghu Kunche. “Since my character appears throughout the film, I developed a deep understanding of it. That connection helped me immensely while composing the music.”
He emphasizes that the background score (BGM) has been handled with subtlety. “In many recent films, BGM tends to overpower the characters. But if you look at classics like Shiva and Geethanjali, the music enhances the emotion without dominating it—like cream over milk. I followed the same philosophy here. Our BGM supports the narrative rather than overwhelming it.”
The film features three situational songs that organically drive the story forward. “I’ve sung one song, while Babekka and Mangadevi rendered the other two,” he adds. “We had about 45 days to complete the BGM. Harish handled the sound design—he’s worked under Rajarathnam, known for films like KGF Chapter 1 and Kalki 2898 AD. Watching the film in Dolby will offer a rich audio experience.”
A Powerful Transformation
Talking about his role, Raghu Kunche reveals, “My character needed a strong and intimidating presence, so I gained 12 kg for it. After watching the film, Mythri Sasi said he was surprised—he expected me to be soft based on my television appearances, but found my character quite intense.”
He adds that the role carries strong mass appeal and has been widely appreciated by those who’ve seen the film so far.
A Big Release for a Small Film
Initially planned for release on the 17th, the film was postponed due to theater availability. “At that time, Madhura Sridhar Reddy suggested shifting it by a week. We reconsidered, and everything eventually fell into place,” he explains.
The film is now set for a wide release across approximately 200 screens in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with over 100 theaters in the Nizam region alone. It will also release in 60 overseas locations. “For a small film, this is a huge achievement,” he says.
Passion Over Budget
“This film has strong content, even though we didn’t have massive financial backing,” says Raghu Kunche. “Director Chaitanya Moturi worked tirelessly, handling every department with dedication. The team struggled for nearly a year. Seeing their passion, I decided to come on board as a presenter as well.”
He adds, “I usually give my 100% to every film, but this one demanded even more from me.”
Realism and Raw Experience
The film is deeply rooted in the Godavari region, and the character speaks in its native dialect. “Since I’m from that region, it came naturally to me,” he shares.
Shot in real locations, the film captures authentic environments. “In fish market scenes, real people continued their daily routines while we filmed—it adds a unique realism. The interval fight sequence will be a major highlight. In fact, we had to use real knives in some scenes due to a lack of props, which was quite intense. We even spent a night in a fish market during the shoot—it reminded me that acting isn’t always comfortable.”
A Character That Stays With You
“The way the character of Gedela Raju is written—even I felt anger toward him at times,” he says. “I’m curious to see how audiences react. Everyone who has watched the film appreciated my performance as both an actor and a music director, though I’d give myself a bit more credit as an actor this time,” he adds with a smile.
“Sometimes, it’s the audience that changes a film’s destiny. I strongly believe movie lovers will connect with ‘Gedela Raju’.”
What’s Next
Raghu Kunche clarifies that he isn’t restricting himself to specific roles. “I choose roles based on the opportunities that come my way,” he says.
He is currently working on a film titled “Payanam,” another project with writer Kalyan Chakravarthy (of Akhanda 2 fame), and also playing a notable role in a film starring Allari Naresh.
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