Santhana Prapthirasthu Will Connect With Every Audience— Hero Vikranth
Young actor Vikranth is gearing up to captivate audiences with his upcoming film Santhana Prapthirasthu, starring Chandini Chowdary as the female lead. Produced by Madhura Sreedhar Reddy and Nirvi Hariprasad Reddy under the banners of Madhura Entertainment and Nirvi Arts, and directed by Sanjeev Reddy, the film is set for a grand theatrical release on the 14th of this month.
In an exclusive interview, Vikranth opens up about his journey, the film’s sensitive theme, and why it will resonate with audiences of all ages.
From Software Engineer to Actor
“Our hometown is Vijayawada. I’ve been passionate about movies since childhood—if elders went to a film, I always tagged along. After completing my studies, I entered the software field and even worked in the U.S. Ironically, I watched more movies there than here,” he laughs.
“The COVID lockdown made me rethink my life. I realized that waiting for the ‘right time’ would only make life pass by. So I returned to India, thinking the pandemic would last just three months—but it went on for two years. With growing pressure from family, I did a film called Spark, which unfortunately became a bitter learning experience. That’s when I took a break, trained extensively in theatre, and worked on improving my craft.”
Why Santhana Prapthirasthu?
“One day, I got a chance to meet Sridhar Garu, who later sent me the script. Santhana Prapthirasthu revolves around a hero dealing with low sperm count. At first, I wondered if Telugu audiences would accept such a subject. But once I read the full script, I was convinced.
It was handled with so much dignity—no vulgarity, no cheap comedy. It’s clean, sensible, and suitable for all age groups. That gave me the confidence to take it up. Big stars often avoid such topics due to image constraints. But newcomers like us should embrace fresh, bold stories.”
“Today’s Audience Wants Something New”
“Post-COVID, audiences have evolved. They watch world cinema and appreciate new genres. For a newcomer, doing routine commercial films isn’t enough. Santhana Prapthirasthu deals with infertility—a growing real-world issue—yet 75% of the film is filled with humour. The last act is emotional and carries a meaningful message. People will walk out both entertained and touched.”
Playing Chaitanya, the Everyman
“Director Sanjeev Garu has been developing this story since 2017. He had everything planned perfectly—nothing changed on set. I play Chaitanya, a software engineer. Every IT employee will see themselves in this character.
I gained around six kilos to look like a realistic tech professional. Today, studies say 3 out of every 10 couples face infertility issues. This film doesn’t mock or belittle anyone. We’ve approached the subject sensitively, and people dealing with infertility will find hope instead of hurt.”
The Team Behind the Film
“Chandini Chowdary is a huge asset to the film. She’s known for her strong performances, and we attended several workshops to build our chemistry. After my role, Chandini and Vennela Kishore’s characters are crucial pillars of the story.
One of my favourite directors, Tharun Bhascker, plays Jack Reddy. Acting with him was a memorable experience. Murali Dhar Goud plays the heroine’s father—his character brings a lot of depth and humour to the plot.”
A Story Rooted in Today’s Reality
“We explored the emotional pressure couples face around pregnancy. There’s a survey that shows earlier, couples revealed pregnancy news within three months, but today it takes up to 19 months due to stress, busy lifestyles, financial pressures, and job-related strain. These real-world truths are naturally woven into the narrative.”
Music, Post-Production & Audience Response
“Though the shooting was completed quickly, post-production took time. Since Sunil Kashyap Garu was busy, Ajay Arasada composed the background score—and he nailed it. His song Telusa Nee Kosame is receiving great appreciation.
Our songs, humour, and emotions are all organically blended into the story. Even the censor board praised the film’s sensitivity and granted us a U/A certificate. We’ve screened premieres already, and families said they hadn’t watched such a wholesome entertainer in recent times. That made me really happy.
We also received strong OTT offers—that itself shows the confidence people have in this movie.”
Upcoming Projects
“After this, I’ll be teaming up again with Sreedhar Garu and Sanjeev Reddy for a rural drama titled Sarpanch, which also addresses important social issues while being fully entertaining. I’m also developing a socio-fantasy project titled Mrityunjaya Markandeya.”
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