Siddeswar Manoj may be all of 24, but his young age or lack of experience in films didn’t stop him from breaking the record for being the youngest to handle most workmanship in a movie, and earning his place in the India Book of Records as well the Andhra Book of Records.
He had his first brush with film making in 2009 when he shot a documentary titled 'Nimisham', as a B. Tech student. “The film won an award at a national-level college competition. After that, I didn’t do anything related to films and took up an IT job instead,” Siddeswar shares.
But six months into the job, he decided to pursue his passion. “I wanted to do more than just direct,” he says about his record-breaking film Priya Premalo Prem, which is around two hours long and has five songs. Out of the 24 crafts required to make a film, Siddeswar handled a total of 18: “Direction, story and dialogues, choreography, stunts, lyrics, screenplay, costume designing, as well as acting,” he rattles off, adding, “People have done it before me but the difference is that I’m 24.”
The film was made on a budget of Rs 80 lakh, for which Siddeswar thanks his family. “My family helped me with the finances. I wouldn’t have been able to do anything without their support,” he says gratefully.
