Vikram Kumar, Destiny Drove Him

Vikram Kumar is known for creative and different genre films. Strangely he dissected his own films secrets sharing the success journey in the industry. 

"I got the confidence to succeed in films after my short film Silent Scream based on suicides won three national awards and got screened in 14 international film festivals in 1998. 

Then I went to Usha Kiron Movies Chennai office after coming to know that they are looking for new stories. There were 20 ahead of me and I narrated my story to a person. Later I came to Hyderabad and told the story to Ramoji Rao garu. Then happened Ishtam. 

I made the film along with my friend Raj. The film did average business but Shriya became a star. I got depressed but my father encouraged me every second. I tried a lot struggling for five years and then penned a horror story as it was unexplored at that time. Three producers loved the story but they didnot dare to come forward. I sent the story to Adlabs (Reliance) Chennai office after knowing that they are looking to make films in regional language. I went to Mumbai with full script after receiving their call. They asked me to take the film in Tamil, Hindi and Madhavan starred in the horror film 13 B which turned out to be a hit.

My bonding with cinematographer PC Sreeram became strong and he guided me like a father figure. Before 13 B, I planned to direct Chiyaan Vikram in 24 in 3D. However the project was shelved after 3-4days shoot. 

During that time I narrated Ishq to Sudhakar Reddy and Nithin. Though they loved the story, they waited for the producer. Nithin and Nitya Menon's Ishq turned out to be a superhit. I also got a good friend in Nithin. Soon I will direct Nithin once again.

During 13 B,while I was on Mumbai-Chennai flight, I watched a youngster wearing a cap, 'Om Nama Sivaya' tattoo on hand, hearing to songs and dancing. This inspired me to pen Manam. When I told Nagarjuna Manam story during Ishq time, he at once gave green signal. 

Suriya later asked me to remake Manam in Tamil with himself, his brohter Karthi and father Siva Kumar. He asked me how would it be if his wife Jyothika reprise Shriya's role. However I told him that I have another story and if he do not like,we can remake Manam.

That's how I narrated 24 story and he loved it to the core. The film became a hit in Telugu and Tamil. I felt it is destiny which guides us as I started with 24 which got shelved with Vikram then casting Surya in lead and Surya liking 24 story though he asked me for Manam remake, working with Rahman, myself meeting his sound engineer Srinidhi and both of us falling in love and later getting married.

When I went to give my wedding card to Nagarjuna, he asked me to direct his son Akhil. I at once agreed and penned a story and narrated him. But Nagarjuna and Akhil did not like. I later told another story and they loved it and thus happend Hello.

I had doubts about the film's final output but when I saw tears in Nagarjuna's eyes, I got the confidence that the film will be a hit. I will readily do another film whenever Nagarjuna calls me as one cannot get support like the one Nag gives to the director,' said Vikram from heart.