Paul Nicodemus
Born and raised in Vizag, Umamahesh Marpu’s journey into filmmaking began after he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. “I joined a film institute to learn the craft of direction and filmmaking,” he shares. “I directed short films and later worked as an AD under an editor on a feature film, managing both pre-production and production tasks. My love for films started in childhood, but it became a passion once I began to understand the craft.”
With Vanchana hitting theaters today, the 25-yearold director and actor is thrilled to make his debut in the film industry with a gripping courtroom drama. “The idea for Vanchana started forming at the end of the pandemic. I shared a storyline with my mother, Gowri Marpu, who loved it and encouraged me to make a film with a strong narrative focus. She went on to produce the film,” he reveals.
Umamahesh describes the effort he invested in preparing for his debut: “I spent seven months on pre-production, meticulously planning every detail — from storyboarding to location scouting. After ten days of shooting and a rough edit, we were thrilled with the outcome and decided to go all in without compromise. Filming took place across Vizag, Vizianagaram, Hyderabad, Delhi, and the ghats of Araku and Paderu, adding authenticity to the story’s setting.”
Reflecting on the film’s focus, he says, “The film is a courtroom drama with a powerful emotional core. It’s a true thriller centered around a sensitive topic, with no deviations. This is a story-driven film where the content is the hero.”
The film features a seasoned cast and crew, including Surya Bhagvandas, Rajendra, RK Naidu, and veteran theatre artistes.
