I am happy my movie is in the race with Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna’s films: Santosh Shoban

Hyderabad: Young hero Santosh Shoban is elated about the Sankranthi release of ‘Kalyanam Kamaneeyam’ because it is his first-ever Sankranti release. The film is going to hit the screens on 14 January.

At the pre-release event held on Friday, Shoban appreciated his co-star Priya Bhavani Shankar, who is making her Tollywood debut. He also backed debutant director Anil Kumar Aalla on the occasion. He said he had learned as much from experienced filmmakers like Maruthi as he did from a newcomer like Anil Kumar.

Further, the talented Shoban said, “With the release of movies of Chiranjeevi garu and Balakrishna garu, Sankranthi has acquired a certain beauty at the box office. I am happy that my movie is also in the race alongside their movies.”

He added, “UV Creations has been supportive, like a family. I thank Vamsi anna, Vicky anna, and Ajay anna. I hold my directors in high esteem. Whatever positive is there in ‘Kalyanam Kamaneeyam,’ it directly sprang from its director’s creativity. Priya has aced the challenging working wife’s role like a natural. I was not the first choice to play Shiva. But Priya was always the first and only one in the director’s mind to play Shruti.”

Priya Bhavani said she was excited ahead of the release of her first Telugu movie. Thanking UV Creations and director Anil for the “wonderful opportunity,” she described Soban as a nice co-star. She called the film’s music beautiful and suggested that her real-life persona is close to her character Shruti.

Director Anil said his movie holds many life lessons. “If we genuinely write down a story, the universe will conspire to materialise our dream. The story’s journey started with my friend Veda Vyas and eventually reached the doorsteps of UV Creations. After that, I didn’t have to look back. The audience will love the story, screenplay, and characters,” he said.