Krish: ‘Ghaati’ explores identity, survival, and a hidden culture

Director Krish Jagarlamudi’s much-awaited film “Ghati”, starring Anushka Shetty in the lead role, is all set for release on September 5. Speaking at a press meet, Krish shared insights about the film, its backdrop, and the casting choices.

The story and backdrop

Krish revealed that the seed of Ghaati came from writer Dr. Chintakinda Srinivasa Rao, who had earlier worked on the “Arabian Kadali” web series for his production company.

“The Shilavati variety of ganja grows in the Andhra–Odisha border region. A system operates around it, with laborers transporting it. These laborers are called ‘Ghaatis.’ When I first heard about their background, it sounded very exciting. Srinivasa Rao initially wrote it as a 30-page story. I liked it so much that I started developing it further. When I visited the Eastern Ghats for location scouting, I discovered an entirely new world and lifestyle. Ghaati gave me the opportunity to showcase this new culture on screen,” he said.

He further explained, “The story is completely fictional, but marijuana is a social issue. Governments try to crush it with an iron fist, yet it always finds its way into society. For some, it is a means of survival, but the consequences are very serious. Ghaati is about identity and survival. It is a complex story filled with deep emotions, told in a cinematic way with utmost care.”

Anushka Shetty’s role

On casting Anushka Shetty, Krish said, “After Vedam, I always wanted to work with her again but it didn’t materialize. I was waiting for the right story. In Ghaati, the character Sheelavathi suited her grace and attitude perfectly. This role aligns with her superstardom. From Arundhati to Bhaagamathie, she has delivered iconic performances. In Ghaati, she got another exciting character, and her performance is simply amazing.”

Casting Vikram Prabhu and Chaitanya Rao

Explaining the choice of other key actors, Krish said, “While writing the character of Desiraju, I imagined Vikram Prabhu. After going through his entire filmography, I felt he was perfect for it. There is also a character called Kundula Naidu. I had seen Chaitanya Rao in the web series ‘30 Weds 21.’ I thought if such a character is placed in a villain’s role, it would bring freshness. While narrating, Chaitanya immediately began behaving like that character. He brought the spark I was looking for. Similarly, Ravindra Vijay did a terrific job as Kaashtalu Naidu, which is another very unusual role. Even choreographer Rajasundaram Master has played an important character in the film.”

What’s next?

On his upcoming projects, Krish remained tight-lipped. “I will talk about new projects after the release of Ghaati,” he said.