During the pre-release event of Nani’s Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, a surprising revelation by director Srikanth Odela caught everyone’s attention. Odela, who directed Nani’s earlier hit Dasara and recently won the Best Debut Director (Telugu) award at the 2024 Filmfare South Awards, shared a personal story that left the audience stunned.
Odela revealed that when he faced immense pressure from his parents to quit his filmmaking dreams and settle for a regular job, he took an extreme step—he burned his academic certificates. He felt cornered by their expectations and decided to commit fully to his passion for filmmaking. Interestingly, this act echoed a scene from director Vivek Athreya’s film Brochevarevarura, which Odela mentioned during the event.
This bold decision highlighted his determination to pursue cinema, regardless of societal pressures. Odela’s candid admission struck a chord with the audience, especially aspiring filmmakers who often struggle with balancing family expectations and their passion.
On the professional front, Srikanth Odela is set to collaborate with Nani once again for a new project, with more details expected to be revealed soon. Meanwhile, Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, directed by Vivek Athreya and featuring Priyanka Arul Mohan as the female lead, is gearing up for its release across multiple languages.