Watch: Reliving Darling Memories With Director Karunakaran

As Darling completes 16 years, the film continues to hold a special place among Telugu audiences as a breezy, feel-good romantic entertainer. On this occasion, we sat down with director Karunakaran, who revisited the magical memories behind the making of this beloved classic and reflected on its lasting impact.

A self-confessed admirer of Pawan Kalyan, whom he fondly calls his “annaya,” Karunakaran revealed that working with Prabhas was a natural progression in his journey. After collaborating with Pawan Kalyan, the director was keen on exploring a fresh romantic space, which eventually led him to team up with Prabhas.

Following the success of his cult youthful entertainer like Ullasanga Utsahanga, Karunakaran shared how his meeting with Prabhas turned into the beginning of a beautiful cinematic journey. The idea of crafting a soft, colorful love story aligned perfectly with Prabhas’s willingness to step away from his action image and try something refreshingly different.

The director also fondly recalled the shooting days, especially the warmth and respect he received from Prabhas. He described the actor as humble, caring, and deeply involved, often going beyond his role to ensure the film’s comfort and quality during production.

Coming to the re-release, the film is already showing strong momentum at the box office with impressive advance bookings. As fans return to theatres to relive the magic of G. V. Prakash Kumar’s classic hits, cinema lovers are expected to flock in large numbers, turning this nostalgic revival into yet another celebration.