“‘Telusu Kada’ Is Filled With Honest Emotions That Everyone Will Connect With: Director Neeraja Kona”
After delivering a Pan-India blockbuster like Mirai, People Media Factory is now presenting one of the most-awaited musical romantic entertainers, ‘Telusu Kada’.
Starring Star Boy Siddhu Jonnalagadda in the lead, the film features Srinidhi Shetty and Raashi Khanna as the female leads. Directed by renowned stylist-turned-filmmaker Neeraja Kona, the film is produced by TG Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad under the prestigious People Media Factory banner.
With chartbuster songs and a teaser that created huge buzz, Telusu Kada is all set for a grand worldwide release on October 17. Ahead of its release, director Neeraja Kona shared her journey and insights in a heartfelt media interaction.
From Costume Designing to Direction – How did that transition happen?
“I’ve loved writing since my school days. I even published a poetry book back then. I’ve always enjoyed storytelling. Friends like Nani and others supported me immensely and encouraged me to believe that I could write for films. Among the stories I wrote, one of them eventually became Telusu Kada.”
“I’ve never worked as an assistant director, but I’ve designed costumes for nearly 100 films over the past 12 years. That experience has been my real film school. During the Puli Meka trailer launch, I met actor Nithiin, and when I shared the idea, he suggested that Siddhu would be perfect for this story.”
“When I narrated the story to Siddhu, he listened to it in a single sitting. Later, his manager called and confirmed that Siddhu was on board. That call was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. Making my debut as both writer and director with Telusu Kada truly feels like a dream come true.”
What can audiences expect from Telusu Kada?
“It’s a love story — a beautiful emotional journey between two individuals. But beyond romance, it also explores the complexities of human emotions and relationships. It’s a character-driven film, where all three main characters are strong, honest, and emotionally relatable.
We haven’t revealed the plot in the teaser intentionally. The trailer will give audiences a better sense of the emotional depth and the character-driven nature of the story.”
There’s a common notion that female directors often lean toward the women’s perspective. How did you handle that balance?
“I believe it doesn’t matter whether a story is written by a man or a woman — what matters is how honestly it’s told. My focus has always been on telling the story truthfully, without any bias.
I don’t want people to label Telusu Kada as a film made by a woman or a man. I want them to see it as a good film made by a passionate filmmaker.”
