“Annagaru Vostaru is a challenging film for me – Hero Karthi

The highly awaited film Annagaru Vostaru, starring star hero Karthi, is gearing up for its grand worldwide theatrical release on the 12th of this month. The prestigious production house Studio Green is producing the film, with K. E. Gnanavel Raja as the producer. Director Nalan Kumarasamy has crafted it as an action-comedy. Krithi Shetty plays the female lead. The film’s pre-release event was held today in Hyderabad on a grand scale.

Lyricist Rakendu Mouli said: “Karthi is one of the very few heroes who consistently impress with unique films. He is a big inspiration to me. Films like Awara, Khakee, and Yuganiki Okkadu showcase Karthi’s versatility. Annagaru Vostaru will feel like a wild-life ride. I wrote all the songs for the film. The movie will definitely impress everyone.”

Director Venky Kudumula said: “When I watched Yuganiki Okkadu, I felt this hero acts incredibly well. After Awara, I became a fan. The variation he shows in his roles is amazing. After Bheeshma, I decided I shouldn’t miss any of his films. The trailer of Annagaru Vostaru looks refreshing. Nalan Kumarasamy’s Soodhu Kavvum is my favourite. Krithi Shetty has dreamed of working with Karthi since Uppena. Films released through Mythri always do well. I wish the entire team great success.”

Director Shiva Nirvana said: “I’m a huge fan of Karthi, and he knows it. From my student days, as an assistant director and later as a director, I’ve always watched his films and taken inspiration. We all consider him our own hero. His films never feel like dubbed movies; Telugu audiences treat him like one of our own. Director Nalan Kumarasamy has inspired all of us. The trailer is excellent. The film should be a big success.”

Director Deva Katta said: “I grew up in Chennai. I was influenced by Balachander and Bharathiraja’s films. Some movies shake you to the core – Karthi’s Paruthiveeran was that film for me. He hit a sixer with his debut. Yuganiki Okkadu received an overwhelming response from the Telugu masses. I’ve always wanted to work with him. He loves Telugu so much that he has been dubbing in his own voice since his first film. I watch both the Tamil and Telugu versions for his dubbing. Every Telugu hero’s fan is also a fan of Karthi. He has earned that love.”

Director Vivek Athreya said: “Recently I met Karthi. He is as good a human being as he is an actor. Talking to him feels like talking to someone you’ve known for years. Just like Nani does different films in Telugu, Karthi brings such films to us. Nalan Kumarasamy is a great technician. Him making a fantasy film is exciting. I’ve already decided to watch this film first day, first show.”

Director Rahul Ravindran said: “The first reason I came here is Krithi Shetty – she’s like a sister to me. The second is Karthi. After watching Satyam Sundaram, I felt society needs such movies, and I wanted to discuss it with him. The third reason is Nalan Kumarasamy. Soodhu Kavvum surprised me. My wife Chinmayi always talks about how good a person Karthi is. I want to watch the movie on the first day. My best wishes to Gnanavel sir and the whole team.”

Director Shailesh Kolanu said: “I’m happy to bring Karthi into a hit franchise. I’ll honor the trust he has placed in me. Nalan Kumarasamy always does new-age content, and the trailer shows this film is the same. When I saw Karthi in the trailer, it felt like his perfect zone. Telugu audiences not only buy tickets for his films – they truly love him. Only a few heroes receive such affection.”

Mythri Distribution’s Sashidhar said: “I usually share trailers with friends to get feedback, and everyone responded very positively to Annagaru Vostaru. We’re happy to release it through our banner.”

Producer Bunny Vas said: “We share a great bond with Suriya sir and Gnanavel Raja sir. I still remember the theatrical response to Karthi’s Paruthiveeran. So many young directors have come here today – that shows their admiration for him. Karthi continues to make unique films with new directors. Nalan is a talented filmmaker. I wish the film great success.”

Heroine Krithi Shetty said: “I’m so happy seeing all your cheers. During Uppena. I dreamed of meeting Karthi, and now I’m acting with him. He encourages everyone around him to grow. I don’t think I could have had a better Tamil debut or a better co-star. He gave me a wonderful space to perform. He’s like a Telugu hero to the audience. Telugu audiences love a hero for who he is, not where he’s from – that’s their greatness. Hats off to them. I want to direct someday, and if I work as an assistant director, it would be under Nalan sir. He has created an entire world in this film. You will see that world in theatres on the 12th. Since the 60s, commercial cinema had a charm – a kind of magic which took audiences to theatres. We made this film to bring back that magic. I hope you all support it.”

Director-producer Madhura Sreedhar Reddy said: “Thanks to everyone who came for Karthi. I wish Annagaru Vostaru great success. I hope it becomes a super hit for Karthi and Krithi. Best wishes to the entire team.”

Director Bobby said: “We love cinema beyond language and borders. Karthi and Suriya feel like family – they come home with us from the theatre. I admire Karthi’s script selection. Every time, he brings something unique. My daughter cried during Satyam Sundaram. Nalan Kumarasamy is a cult director. Krithi has lined up good projects after Uppena. She wished to act with Karthi, and now she has. I wish Gnanavel sir a big success with this film.”

Hero Sundeep Kishan said: “I see Karthi anna as my senior from college. Of the three types of films young actors dream of doing, Karthi anna has already done one in each category. That inspired my confidence to step into Kollywood, knowing Tamil audiences would accept me just like they did him. Nalan Kumarasamy is a great director. Krithi deserves a big success with this film. With Mythri releasing it, success is guaranteed. Gnanavel Raja sir is my favourite producer. I wish the film huge success.”

Hero Karthi said: “Every word spoken today by the directors and guests touched my heart. My gratitude to all of them. Shiva Nirvana and I planned to work together. Deva Katta’s Prasthanam is one of my favourite films. Vamsi Paidipally always spoke highly of Bobby. Venky Kudumula narrated a hilarious script – we’ll plan that film soon. Vivek Athreya is a wonderful writer; we recently met and plan to meet again. After every release, Chinmayi sends me a page-long message written by Rahul. She delivers it like a courier. I’m grateful for all this love. Shailesh gave me a cameo in HIT 3, and the one line I spoke became very popular; he wrote a big backstory for it. I’m waiting for HIT 4. Sundeep made me blush with his praise. Krithi said she’s my fan – she worked with great dedication. From the moment she arrived on set, she stayed in the character’s mood. When Nalan narrated the script, I couldn’t imagine how the heroine’s role would work, but Krithi excelled in it. She is a good dancer, but I asked her to dance a bit slowly with me.

About Annagaru Vostaru, we love our heroes, and sometimes that admiration turns into devotion. That is the film’s concept. As Krithi said, the director has made this film as a tribute to the 70s–80s mass commercial cinema. This story needed a superhero-like hero. Why should superheroes be only Batman or Superman? In our culture, we already had NTR and MGR – people who changed cinema, politics, and society. We accept anything our heroes do on screen. They are our demigods. When they do something beneficial to society within a commercial film, it feels special. NTR and MGR rose from humble beginnings to become legends – they are our superheroes. This film imagines what it would be like if such heroes emerged again. This is Nalan Kumarasamy’s film after eight years, and I see how much Telugu directors admire him. The story happens in a fictional world. It was a privilege to play such a grand role. It’s a challenging film, and doing such challenging projects takes us to the next level. I believe I acted well. I’m sure you’ll love the film. It’s very hard to make such a movie again. I must bring only new and fresh films to you. When Satyam Sundaram released, Telugu audiences and the media celebrated it, and now we are bringing another unique film. I feel lucky that such films come to me. Gnanavel sir worked tirelessly to bring this to you. My thanks to all of you on behalf of myself and my brother Suriya.”