Director Anand Raj, who is set to bring Kannada cinema’s first zombie film to the screen, is now set to venture into zombie territory yet again — this time in Telugu with his upcoming debut. The project, starring Dhruva Vaayu, is set to begin filming in June. “The production house appreciated my previous work and expressed interest in a unique genre largely untouched in Indian cinema,” he shares. “The zombie theme felt perfect. While I’m working on similar themes in both Kannada and Telugu, the two films will be completely distinct in story, execution, and length. The Telugu version, in particular, will feature large-scale stunts.”He adds, “The shoot for both films will take place simultaneously, but there won’t be any overlap between the two projects. I’m excited to embrace this new creative challenge.”Sharing his thoughts on the Telugu film industry, he says, “Tollywood has a more corporate work culture, with a strong focus on pre-production planning, which is a sharp contrast to the Kannada industry. Post-COVID, audiences are more open to content from other languages, no longer seeing language as a barrier. As filmmakers, it’s crucial to adapt by understanding the cultural nuances of each state.”
I’m venturing again into the zombie genre for my Telugu debut: Kannada Director Anand Raj
