Pradeep Machiraju returns to the big screen with his second film, Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi (AAIA), which is set to release tomorrow. In an exclusive interview with us, the actor shares his excitement and the journey behind the film.
“In many ways, this feels like another debut for me,” Pradeep says. “I took extra care and worked hard on every aspect of the film. Most of our cast and crew are newcomers, and that brought a fresh energy to the set.”
Talking about the film’s premise, he shares, "Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi is designed to appeal to family audiences. It’s like a modern-day Chandamama story, set in a rural village steeped in its own traditions and rules. There’s a princess, and a guy from the city who finds himself stuck there. My character’s frustration with the village norms creates a lot of humour."
The film, a situational comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes, is what Pradeep calls “an ID card movie.”
“This is like an ID card movie for our director, producers, and almost everyone involved. We focused more on quality than budget. Every department gave it their all,” he emphasizes.
To preserve the film’s rural aesthetic, the entire shoot took place in a village near Araku. “We shot day and night to capture the perfect visuals,” he reveals.
Adding a unique touch is a promotional song inspired by a key background score from the film. “It was written and sung by music director Radhan’s uncle,” Pradeep says, adding, “Music plays a big role in this film.”
Having already seen the final cut, Pradeep is confident about the outcome. “I’m really happy with how it turned out. I believe audiences will appreciate the honest effort we’ve put into it.”