From capturing the innocence of college friendships in Happy Days to addressing caste and gender issues in Love Story, Sekhar Kammula’s films have consistently blended entertainment with social consciousness. Following a screening of Happy Days at the Red Lorry Film Festival, Kammula engaged in an insightful conversation with the audience before sitting down with Hyderabad Times for a reflective interview. As he marks 25 years in cinema, the director spoke about his process, his upcoming film Kuberaa, and the philosophy that guides his work.
On completing 25 years…
“If I had to sum up my journey, I’d say I’ve stayed on my path. I’ve matured over time — my understanding of the world has grown, and my films reflect that. But at the core, I’m still the same person who made Dollar Dreams.”

‘Cinema must always say something worthwhile’
Sekhar Kammula sees filmmaking as more than a creative pursuit — it’s a moral and social obligation. “Cinema has an obligation to society,” he says. “Even if we don’t deliver a positive message, we must never put out a negative one.” This is a belief he has consistently stood by, and one that has influenced every aspect of his filmmaking.
“Cinema is not just entertainment, it’s a duty,” he insists. “Every art form — be it literature, sculpture, or cinema — carries responsibility, especially cinema, because it reaches lakhs and crores of people. You should make a film only when you have something meaningful to say.”
For Kammula, storytelling is a calling. “I never feel a sense of achievement after finishing a film. I always feel the urge to do better in the next one. Every movie is a test, and the next one is always a challenge.”

‘I don’t chase stars, I chase stories’
Kammula’s narratives are rooted in reality. “I don’t seek inspiration from or copy others — that’s why I take my time,” he explains. His films emerge from deep observation and introspection. “From a woman’s perspective, I made Anand, Godavari, Fida. From a student’s view, Happy Days. From a political lens, Leader. And addressing caste and social issues, Love Story.” Revisiting his debut, Dollar Dreams, which explored the idea of brain drain, he said, “Despite its rawness, the story still holds true. It asked: why do so many of us want to leave India? There was a story, an issue to be discussed, and I chose to tell it.”

‘Language has its own soul, and I try to capture that’
Kammula’s Hyderabad upbringing seeps into his films. “When you think of Sankranthi in cinema, it’s usually associated with Andhra. But with Fida, we wanted to tell a story rooted in Telangana,” he shares. Language and location are integral to his storytelling. “Telangana slang comes naturally to me. Every dialect has its own flavour, and I like to bring that to my work.”
He fondly recalls his childhood in Hyderabad. “I grew up playing gully cricket, marbles, flying kites… Hyderabad is a city of festivals. There’s always something being celebrated. That kind of rootedness influences the essence of my films.”

‘Friendship, in its purest form, never ages’
Kammula believes Happy Days continues to resonate because it captures emotions in their rawest, most unfiltered form. “Most of our purest friendships are formed during school and college — unadulterated and free of ulterior motives,” he says. “We all long for a life filled with that simplicity, and Happy Days captures that emotion.”
He attributes the film’s lasting appeal to its emotional honesty. “Beyond the cast and technical aspects, what truly made Happy Days what it is today was its innocence. Everything aligned perfectly for it.”

‘Kuberaa is going to be something else entirely’
Kammula’s upcoming film Kuberaa features a star-studded cast — Nagarjuna, Dhanush, and Rashmika Mandanna. “Working with Nagarjuna garu and Dhanush garu has been an excellent experience. They’re phenomenal performers and wonderful human beings,” he says. Although he doesn’t reveal much, he promises something distinctive. “This is going to be a very special project. I truly believe audiences will feel a sense of awe when they watch it.”

‘My journey has been about staying true to my voice’
Looking back, he says, “I have no regrets. I’ve made the films I wanted to make, and I have told the stories I believed in. That’s enough for me.” Despite his success, Kammula remains grounded. “I come from a privileged background, and I won’t pretend my journey was full of struggles. There are people who have had to fight much harder. That’s why I don’t think my life is worth a biography.”