Cult producer SKN is confident that his upcoming romantic drama Chennai Love Story will win audiences’ hearts and strengthen the identity of his production banners. After delivering successful content-driven films like Taxiwala and Baby, SKN says the team took their time to return with a film that lives up to the expectations created by their previous successes.
Starring Kiran Abbavaram and Sri Gouri Priya in the lead roles, Chennai Love Story is produced by SKN and Sai Rajesh under the Amrutha Productions and Mass Movie Makers banners. The film is directed by Ravi Namburi, with music composed by Mani Sharma. The romantic entertainer is scheduled to hit theatres on July 24.
Speaking about the title, SKN revealed that although the lead characters are Telugu, they live in Chennai, making Chennai Love Story the perfect name. He said the team intentionally waited nearly a year after the blockbuster success of Baby because they wanted to return only with a story they truly believed in. The screenplay narrated by National Award-winning writer Sai Rajesh convinced them to produce the project together.
The producer also shared that the makers are currently focused on the Telugu release, while discussions are still underway regarding the Tamil version. Since several major Tamil films are arriving around the same period, the team is considering whether to release the dubbed version simultaneously or at a later date.
SKN had high praise for Kiran Abbavaram’s performance, saying the actor has delivered one of the most mature roles of his career. According to him, audiences have mostly seen Kiran in youthful and mass-oriented characters, but Chennai Love Story presents him in a completely different light. He even expressed confidence that Kiran’s performance deserves recognition during the upcoming awards season.
Talking about the female lead, SKN said Sai Rajesh’s stories have always featured powerful women, making the heroine’s role equally important. After extensive discussions, the team selected Sri Gouri Priya, believing she would do complete justice to the emotionally layered character. He added that her performance would leave a lasting impact on viewers.
SKN explained that while Baby revolved around the emotions of first love, Chennai Love Story explores the beauty of second love. He believes life always offers another chance at happiness, and the new film celebrates that emotional journey rather than focusing on heartbreak. He also clarified that the film is not a tragic love story.
The film was shot extensively across Chennai, Puducherry, Visakhapatnam and Chirala. Beach sequences were filmed in Andhra Pradesh, while important portions requiring the Chennai backdrop were shot at iconic city locations, including the Lighthouse and inside the Chennai Metro. SKN said the team often waited for natural rain and sunrise to capture authentic visuals that enhanced the film’s emotional depth.
The producer also praised Mani Sharma for immediately agreeing to compose the music after listening to the story. He said every song has been written by Anantha Sriram, with meaningful lyrics and melodies that beautifully complement the emotions of the narrative.
Speaking about director Ravi Namburi, SKN described him as a long-time associate who had earlier worked with the team on Baby. He credited Ravi’s dialogue writing skills and his creative collaboration with Sai Rajesh as major strengths behind the project.
On promotions, SKN said the team has mounted an extensive campaign by highlighting the film as coming from the makers of Colour Photo and Baby. With his media background, he understands the importance of strong promotions and believes the film has already generated excitement among audiences in cities, towns and villages alike.
Addressing controversies surrounding modern love stories, SKN clarified that unlike some recent films, Chennai Love Story is not driven by controversial elements. Instead, he described it as a deeply emotional film that focuses on relationships and human feelings.
He also confirmed that the film’s OTT deal has already been finalized, with the streaming platform expected to announce the details officially after release.
Concluding the interaction, SKN said producers can never predict box office numbers, but he remains confident that Chennai Love Story will receive widespread appreciation from audiences. He believes the film will not only continue the goodwill earned through Baby but also establish a unique identity for Amrutha Productions and Mass Movie Makers. He further announced that ticket prices will remain unchanged to ensure that families and young audiences can enjoy the film in theatres at affordable rates.