Pallaburusu director Uday Chauhan reveals Nagarjuna, Naga Chaitanya’s reactions to his debut film | Interview
Pallaburusu Director Uday Chauhan on Nagarjuna, Naga Chaitanya’s Reviews
A Toothbrush Sparks Family Drama
Bharatmorningnews.com – Pallaburusu director Uday Chauhan reveals that his debut film has received overwhelming praise from Telugu cinema’s biggest stars. The filmmaker’s slice-of-life narrative, which translates to “toothbrush” in Telugu, hits theaters this Friday with a story that goes far beyond its simple title. Uday Chauhan poured his heart into every frame, and even producer Supriya Yarlagadda was moved to tears during the climactic sequence.
The film unfolds in Telangana, where a minor disagreement over a toothbrush transforms into a generational courtroom battle. Rather than the typical youth-versus-age setup, Uday Chauhan centered the narrative on an elderly man and his aging father. “The toothbrush sparking a courtroom conflict might seem silly, but there’s more to the story that I cannot reveal now,” he explained.
Graveyard Inspiration Becomes Cinema
The concept for Pallaburusu emerged while Uday Chauhan was shooting his earlier project, Season of Innocence, which had been submitted to international film festivals. During a rural shoot, he witnessed a powerful scene that would become the film’s foundation. “I saw a 6-foot-tall, 70-year-old man sobbing in the middle of a graveyard in the fields,” Uday recalled. “The image stayed with me for a long time. I wondered what could have happened to make him feel such grief, and that sparked the idea for Pallaburusu.”
The director emphasized that while the narrative draws from everyday observations, the underlying reasons for the family’s discord remain novel. “While the story will be relatable, the why and what of their conflict is fresh,” he noted.
Authentic Performances Take Center Stage
Sudhakar Reddy and Muralidhar Goud portray the elderly father and son respectively in the film. Uday Chauhan remained committed to finding performers who brought authenticity rather than relying on established commercial stars. “At one point, I even considered training villagers to act, as I did for Season of Innocence,” he shared. However, the casting of Sudhakar and Muralidhar proved fortuitous. “When Sudhakar garu and Muralidhar garu were cast, I felt they were a perfect fit for the way they speak and their comic timing. I’m lucky I found them because their energies gelled with my characters.”
Star Reactions Boost Confidence
Pallaburusu emerges from the collaboration of Annapurna Studios, led by Supriya Yarlagadda, and EPIC Studios under Vivek Krishnani. Given their familial connections, it was natural for Supriya to share her enthusiasm with her uncle Nagarjuna and cousin Naga Chaitanya, both of whom have since offered their perspectives on the film.
“I remember when I first narrated the story to Supriya garu, she said she might do 90 other films, but she would regret it if she missed it. It made me happy because it’s not every day that producers back such rooted stories. Vivek has also been really sweet,” Uday revealed.
The feedback from the Telugu cinema stalwarts further bolstered the director’s confidence. “When I spoke to Chaitanya garu, he said, this is too good Uday. It’s very sweet and rooted. Let’s talk to Supriya and get it into production soon,” the filmmaker recounted. He added, “When Nag sir asked me to come home to hear it, it was a dream come true. I’m a huge fan since childhood and consider him my demigod. It was a full circle moment for me, and there was no looking back once he loved the story too.”
What’s Next for Uday Chauhan?
With the backing of two prestigious production houses, Uday feels a sense of responsibility to deliver a successful debut. “It’s Annapurna and EPIC banners, nothing should go wrong. I know what I’m serving is fresh and quirky. Directors who debuted with Annapurna have only tasted success, and I took that as a responsibility. I hope the same holds true for me,” he stated. The director also hinted at future projects, promising to return with either a psychological thriller or a sports drama.
Pallaburusu is scheduled for theatrical release on August 14.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Pallaburusu release in theaters?
Pallaburusu is set to release in theaters on August 14, 2025, marking Uday Chauhan’s directorial debut in Telugu cinema.
Who are the lead actors in Pallaburusu?
The film features Sudhakar Reddy and Muralidhar Goud in the lead roles, portraying an elderly father and son whose relationship is tested by a toothbrush dispute.
What did Nagarjuna and Naga Chaitanya say about the film?
Naga Chaitanya praised the film as “too good” and “very sweet,” while Nagarjuna personally invited Uday Chauhan to hear the story at his home, calling it a dream come true for the director.
What inspired Uday Chauhan to create Pallaburusu?
The idea came while filming Season of Innocence when Uday Chauhan saw a 6-foot-tall, 70-year-old man crying in a graveyard, which sparked his imagination about what could cause such deep grief.