Telugu movie “Nindha” is set to hit the screens this weekend, and for Canberra-based Sireesha ManiKrishna, the excitement is palpable as she makes her debut as a co-scriptwriter with Rajesh Jagannadham for this project.
The film, produced by Jagannadham and featuring Varun Sandesh among others, is a slow-burn suspense thriller that follows six murder case suspects who get kidnapped, and an officer’s quest to find the truth. “The premise is encapsulated well in this dialogue: ‘The day justice fails a good person is the day society fails’,” reveals Sireesha.
Sireesha’s journey into the world of scriptwriting began with a deep passion for essay writing, debate, elocution, poetry events during her upbringing in Hyderabad.
“In a school where most of my peers excelled in maths and science, I was that student whose best subjects were English and Telugu,” she reflects. However, she pursued dentistry, which allowed her to maintain both a scientific and artistic outlook.
After following her husband to Australia in 2002, Sireesha returned to creative writing when her daughters started school. “I realised two things: my prose writing skills weren’t that great, and I enjoy collaborating with others. That’s when I discovered screenwriting suits me better than novels or short stories,” she shares.
Sireesha met Jagannadham online after completing a screenwriting course with UCLA and seeking other creative collaborators. “He had just moved back to India from the US, determined to create his first feature film and searching for writers to join his team. I submitted my writing samples, which he liked. We connected over Zoom and have been collaborating on various stories since early 2020.”
It would be a partnership based on patience despite differences in personalities.
“When it comes to story development, he is very clear about what he wants and what aspects needs further exploration. Both of us have the patience and resilience to work through multiple drafts and iterations of the story. So, despite being starkly different in our personalities, we work well together and are here for the long haul,” says Sireesha.
Working on the sets of “Nindha”, Sireesha noticed how committed and passionate the crew and cast were amidst the constraints of a small, independent production. “I think that had to do with their individual passion to some extent, their involvement in this story to some extent and Jagannadham’s vision and ability to get the best out of everyone.”
Sireesha herself played a pivotal part in rehearsals, offering cues and making real-time scene adjustments, showcasing her integral role behind the scenes.
“We hear all the actors say they enjoyed the shooting and they all felt like family by the end in many interviews. Being on set, I understood that sentiment for the first time. Because of the time constraints and cost involved, the crew is so focused on getting it done, that you end up with that “in the trenches” feeling.”
As “Nindha” prepares to make its mark, Sireesha hints at a transformative comeback for Varun Sandesh, signalling a departure from his previous romantic hero roles.
Reflecting on her journey, Sireesha embraces the diverse perspectives she’s encountered and has no regrets taking the long path to a new start. “There can be some very young and talented people out there. But personally, I think the life I’ve lived, allowed me to expand my perspective and acknowledge others’ perspectives irrespective of whether I agree with them or not. I think that is the absolute minimum for storytelling if you want people to connect to the story you are telling.”
Living in Australia hasn’t hindered Sireesha’s connection to the Telugu film industry. “Today, with all the online connectivity we have, I think that is not even an issue. Either way, the Indian and Telugu community is quite large in Canberra. I do go back home quite frequently, with only one three-year break because of Covid.
“I think for most writers and creative artists, creation happens in bursts. There is a lot of ruminating and developing projects, before you can start collaborating with others. And that keeps going on until something clicks and everything falls into place for a creative project to come alive and be ready for sharing with the world.”
So that is the plan fir Sireesha looking ahead – a stepping stone towards a second innings as she prepares for retirement from dentistry.
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