Sujeeth: I was told I would never become a director

Sujeeth is one of the young and promising filmmakers we now have in Tollywood. The 30-year-old Sujeeth made his directorial debut with Sharwanand’s Run Raja Run when he was just 23. And his film was viewed and appreciated by a wider audience. After studying Chartered accountant, Sujeeth forayed into TFI as he built a passion for films over time.

His second film was Saaho with Prabhas and despite receiving generally unfavourable reviews, it grossed Rs 433 crore at the worldwide BO. At the time, the director made an indelible mark in Tollywood that whether you like the type of films he makes or not, this guy is here to stay! Period.

Sujeeth appeared on a popular chat show on ‘ETV plus’ called ‘Neeku Maatrame Chepta’ where this particular episode will be aired in a week or so. When the host and director Tharun Bhascker asked if Sujeeth had endured humiliation within the industry, the filmmaker said “at the beginning of my career, a producer challenged me that I will never become a director. He said that it is not an easy task to direct films and I lack potential in making a decent film”.

He said that the producer’s words left him inspired and instantly boosted him to accept new tasks in life. “I did not get affected with his words and instead got motivated. “As soon as I first met success, I got a call from that producer asking me to meet him. I said ‘Sir(referring me) is very busy, Can’t meet’. And hung up the phone,” Sujeeth quoted.

Sujeeth further said that he entered the film industry with the aim to become an actor. But despite attending many auditions, he was bullied for his looks and had to take insults. The filmmaker said that he then decides to wear a director’s hat and prove his capabilities. “After acting in a few short films, I realized I’m a bad actor but a good filmmaker”.

To the unversed, Sujeeth made nearly 30 short films before taking a plunge as a full-time director in Tollywood. His YouTube channel “Sujeeth Sign” was popular back then. Sujeeth also won several awards at film festivals for his concise storytelling. Prema Ishq Kadhal, Indian Idles, Yuddham, Thokkalo Love Story, Prema c/o Drama are some of his short film hits.