Aadi Saikumar’s upcoming project Shambhala is perhaps one of those films that he signed in the first narration itself. The actor states that when he heard the script, he was instantly hooked to the plotline and the set up. “Shambhala is probably the kind of film I was looking for. I have been wanting to do a genuine thriller, and the mystical elements in Shambala was what fascinated me,” says Aadi, speaking to Filmfare. Directed by Ugandhar Muni and produced by Mahidhar Reddy and Rajashekar, the posters and trailer of Shambala have garnered curiosity.
‘Shambhala has a unique concept’
The plot of the film is based on strange supernatural events that unfold after a meteorite crashes into a village. The story is set in the 1980s. Aadi Saikumar plays Vikram, a geo-scientist, who arrives in the highly superstitious village of Shambhala to investigate a series of strange incidents. “Ugandhar’s edge-of-the-seat writing is the key; the focus was more on script in totality. The film’s concept is unique and the writing was focused on a strong character that makes an emotional connection,” says Aadi reinstating that the world building in Shambhala is very gripping.
According to him the film blends intense suspense with relatable human drama along with twists, and powerful dialogues. Even while the team navigated challenges like creating resonant and unpredictable stories, they did not deviate and stuck to the core plot. “The best part of Shambhala is that we could translate exactly what we envisioned. The film features around 400 VFX shots, so that shows what went into making the part,” said Aadi about the Christmas release. “The blend of devotional and horror elements will drive the narrative.”
‘My father, my strength’
In a career span of more than 15 years, Aadi was part of more than 25 films. Having learnt the art of switching on and off over the years, Aadi stated that his efforts for every film has been the same. “I have seen failures but my dad (actor Saikumar) kept telling me only one thing – to put the head down and keep working. The key is not giving up and keep hoping for it, so in that way my dad has been my strength.”
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