Venky Atluri Opens Up on the Success of ‘VISWANATH and SONS’

Tamil star Suriya’s latest family entertainer ‘VISWANATH & SONS’, directed by Venky Atluri and starring Mamitha Baiju as the female lead, has emerged as a major success at the box office. Presented by Srikara Studios and produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, the film arrived in theatres on August 14, 2026.

Blending humour, emotion and everyday family relationships, the film has struck a strong chord with audiences. It crossed the ₹150 crore worldwide gross mark within four days of its release and continues to enjoy a successful theatrical run.

Speaking to the media, director Venky Atluri opened up about the film’s journey, Suriya’s confidence in the story, the writing process, the elaborate house set, Trivikram Srinivas’s response, Mamitha Baiju’s casting and his association with Sithara Entertainments.

 How are you feeling about the response to the film?

I am extremely happy with the way audiences have received the film. The response has been much bigger than we anticipated. Seeing people connect with the characters, emotions and humour has been immensely satisfying.

 What did Suriya think when you narrated the story to him?

Suriya sir connected with the story almost immediately. He had been looking for a family-oriented subject, and fortunately, I already had this story with me.

One thing he strongly believed in was keeping the storytelling honest. He did not want us to force comedy or commercial elements into the narrative. We followed that philosophy throughout the film, particularly while designing the climax. Every character had to remain true to its nature.

He watched the final film a few days before the theatrical release and was very happy. For me, that was a special moment because the film reflected what he had originally believed in. I am glad that we were able to honour the trust he placed in the story.

 Your writing is being compared with Trivikram Srinivas’s style. How do you view that?

Mani Ratnam sir and Trivikram sir are among the filmmakers who inspired me to enter cinema. So, being compared to Trivikram sir is a huge compliment.

At the same time, I know that such comparisons come with responsibility. I have to continue improving as a writer. I particularly admire Nuvvu Naaku Nachav. The film uses humour and entertaining conversations while also saying something meaningful about life. That balance has always fascinated me, and I enjoy exploring similar territory in my writing.

 When did you first develop this story?

The initial idea came from a relationship involving a considerable age difference. I began wondering why someone might remain unmarried until the age of 40 and what circumstances could lead to such a decision.

The story eventually developed around that thought. One of the important ideas behind the film is that people are not necessarily bad by nature. Their circumstances can influence their behaviour and decisions.

I actually conceived the story in 2022, without imagining Suriya sir in the lead. Once he came on board, we made certain modifications to suit his personality, body language and screen presence.

 The house set has attracted considerable attention. How was it designed?

The house was an important part of the film’s visual identity. Production designer Banglan, cinematographer Nimesh and I spent considerable time discussing how it should look and feel.

We did not want to create a house that was simply large or luxurious. It needed to have a distinct visual character. At the same time, it had to communicate richness and grandeur while still feeling fresh and different. A lot of thought went into finding that balance.

 What did Trivikram Srinivas say after watching the film?

Trivikram sir watched the film and genuinely liked it. Since he is closely associated with films produced under Sithara Entertainments, he watches most of the projects from the banner.

Usually, he offers suggestions or points out areas that could be improved after watching a film. Interestingly, he did not suggest any changes for VISWANATH & SONS. He simply told me that he liked the film and felt it was very good. Hearing that from someone I admire so much was extremely encouraging.

 How much did editing contribute to the final version?

I strongly believe that every film evolves further on the editing table. Just because something has been shot does not mean it automatically deserves to remain in the final cut.

The editor needs complete freedom to decide what works best for the film. We followed that philosophy here as well. The editing process helped us tighten the narrative and bring out the strongest version of the film.

 The Telugu version is currently performing strongly despite the film being made in Tamil. What do you think about this?

We made the film in Tamil keeping Suriya sir’s market in mind. There are differences between Tamil Nadu and the Telugu states in terms of theatre count and ticket pricing, which can influence the initial numbers.

However, Tamil films often have a longer theatrical journey there. We have seen that with films such as Karuppu as well. I believe VISWANATH & SONS will continue to build momentum in Tamil Nadu and achieve strong numbers over a longer run.

 Why did you choose Mamitha Baiju for the female lead?

After watching Premalu, I felt Mamitha Baiju would be an excellent fit for this character. She also has a strong command of Tamil, which was important for the role.

Comedy is not just about timing; understanding the language and its nuances is equally important. Mamitha had that ability and brought the right energy to the character. She did complete justice to the role.

 What keeps you associated with Sithara Entertainments?

My association with Sithara Entertainments is not simply a professional arrangement based on remuneration or contracts. Over time, it has developed into a relationship built on mutual trust.

They believed in me and gave me opportunities at important stages of my career. I have immense respect for that confidence, and I would definitely like to continue working with a banner that has supported me so strongly.

 Why do you think family entertainers are once again doing well in theatres?

There was a period when filmmakers were regularly exploring different genres, including a healthy number of family-oriented stories. In recent years, however, the number of such films has reduced.

As a result, when a genuinely engaging family entertainer arrives, audiences seem particularly eager to experience it in theatres. I believe the response to VISWANATH & SONS shows that there is still a strong appetite for stories that offer humour, emotions and relatable family relationships.