With Sankrantiki Vasthunnam blockbuster director Anil Ravipudi created history. The movie has become a huge blockbuster grossing over 200 crores worldwide in just seven days. The highly talented director completed ten years of his illustrious career on 23rd January. So, he interacted with press to commemorate the occasion. Here are the excerpts.

How was this ten-year journey as a director? What kind of highs and lows have you see?

Luckily, I watched all highs with an incredible support from audiences. Every film I made in these ten years is an experience. Audiences have been supportive to any genre genre film, I have made. Taking one step further with each film, they gave a resounding success with Sankrantiki Vasthunnam this Sankranti. My heartfelt gratitude to the audience. All this credit goes to the audience. 'Sankrantiki Vasthunnam' is not an ordinary success. Crossing 100 crore shares in six days and 200 crores gross in one week is a miracle. This is historic in my career. It seems like the audience gave a very strong statement that family entertainers have this huge strength at the box office.

Have you reached the goal you set when you started your career?

-My dream was always to be a director. It was fulfilled with 'Pataas'. I think all this as a bonus. Audience gave me life. My target is to give them 'paisa vasool' entertainment. I am doing exactly the same.

- Every movie in these ten years has been a wonderful experience. I was blessed to have developed a wonderful relationship with my every hero. Without Kalyan Ram, my career would not have existed. He produced and appointed me as the director. I will give credit to Kalyan Ram for all these ten years. Then Supreme with Sai Dharam Tej, Raja the Great with Ravi Teja, F2 with Venkatesh, Sarileru Neekevvaru with Superstar Mahesh, F3 with Venky again, Bhagwant Kesari with Balakrishna again with Venky, Sankrantiki.. Every movie with every hero is a memorable experience. It's the ultimate feeling to work with the heroes that I whistled and hooted at theatres watching their movies.

- I am feeling very emotional when I see the compliments coming in for 'Sankrantiki Vasthunnam'. A friend shared his photo and wrote a message saying, 'My mother came to the cinema after 30 years.' Some came in wheelchairs and watched the movie. Audiences who were away from the cinema were very happy to come to the theater again.

- This is the strength of the family gente. Family entertainment is my strength. When I make a film in this genre, I am more confident and do a good job (laughs). Entertainment is the weapon given to me by the audience. I will always use it as a life line.

What have you been able to earn in a career of ten years?

-The love of the audience watching and supporting my film. That is the property I earned over these ten years. It is increasing film by film. Coming to Sankranti, the audience again showed me the value of my property. I am a multimillionaire in terms of audience love (laughs).

Did you imagine such a big success when you wrote the story of Sankrantiki Vasthunnam?

- I thought we will make a good entertainer like F2. But the movie is collecting beyond our imagination. Even on the eighth day, the film's box office figures and revenue are shocking. This is very surprising. The final number is going to surprise everyone. This is a great verdict for Venkatesh and our entire team from the audience.

Do you think Sankranti season advantage has propelled the success of the film?

-Season advantage will be 20% while 80% will depend on content. I never believe that season can save a movie. If the film is good, it will take it to the next level. Every movie has that advantage. In terms of the content of this movie, we felt it is new talking about a man's journey with his wife and an ex-girlfriend. I haven't seen a template like this anywhere, lately. It felt very fresh. I was able to communicate that throughout the film. I think that the audience gave us this big blockbuster success of that fresh point.

-Promotions are also very well planned. Venkatesh also joining us is a miracle. Making reels and doing skits for his stardom is unbelievable. There is something in this movie that made the audience interested in going and watching it.

How does it feel to be top trending on Book My Show?

- If you watch Book My Show, you will understand how many people are going to the movie as a genuine audience. Tickets are being sold at a record level right from the opening day of this movie. Records are said to have been created in many areas. This movie is eighth wonder in my career.

How did it feel when Dil Raju and Shirish told in the success meet that Anil has saved us from an abyss with this success?

- It's not me who did it, it is audiences. All this credit goes to the audience. Dil Raju gave many wonderful successes. The audience stood by them with this success. They came and watched the movie. The success of this movie is a wonder. A case study. I have to make a case study why this movie became such a big hit. We are all enjoying the success.

Your success secret?

- I write every movie as an audience member. I carefully analyze my strengths and weaknesses. I stick to what audiences expect from me and expand from there. I am a director who believes in audiences judgement and they are the reason for what I am today.

What has changed in you in these ten years? What did you learn?

- No change. Before I used to react to everything. Now I don't care. I focus on my work. I watch movies every Friday. If there are things to learn, I will learn from them. I have been doing this for past ten years and will continue to do so.

How was your journey before becoming a director?

- Looking back at the year and a half journey before Pataas, it is inspiring. A very emotional journey. I kept working hard and tried to achieve my goal very patiently. We made Pataas in a very compact budget within limitations. It became a triple blockbuster. It is an inspiration to me that the debut movie got everyone talking and it laid a strong foundation for my career.

Is the character of Bulli Raju inspired by Hai Hai Nayaka?

- Yes, I like Jandhyala's movies very much. The joke comes with a sound effect in Hai Hai Nayaka. I have designed the character of Bulli Raju looking at the OTT influence of kids, these days. Audience is enjoying it a lot.

How does it feel when audience compare you with EVV?

- EVV is a legend. I enjoyed his films a lot as a child. Being compared to him is the biggest compliment I can ask for. I take it as a huge responsibility on my shoulders.

How will the film with Chiranjeevi be?

- It would be too early to talk about my upcoming film with Chiranjeevi. We are doing a lot of homework to find the perfect script. I have the will power to present Chiranjeevi one hundred percent different than everyone anticipate.

When will you direct Nagarjuna?

- I will do it one hundred percent. I want to do a movie like Hello Brother with him. I want to be the director who directs all four pillars of Telugu Cinema and it will be a unique record. I will do it for sure.

All the best
- Thank you