Kothala Rayudu songs shot at Zero Point
Challenges of shooting in freezing climate was worthwhile, says director
Two songs of the Srikanthstarrer Kothala Rayudu were recently shot at Zero Point, Sikkim. “Initially we wanted to shoot in Kashmir, but we didn’t get permission, hence we decided to shoot at the North-east border,” says the film’s director Sudheer Raju.
“I needed snow and a mountain backdrop; we were told that Zero Point has a picturesque setting. “It’s called Zero Point because there is no motorable road after the place and China is just a stone’s throw away,” says Sudheer, adding that he shot two songs on Srikanth and Natasha Doshi for around 10 days. When the unit landed at Zero Point in December, the going wasn’t easy.
Because of the high altitude (15,300 ft) and freezing temperatures, most of team fell sick. “Shooting in the cold climate was challenging but after seeing the visuals, we felt it was all worth it,” says Sudheer.
“Since the place is at the IndoChina border, the authorities assigned three BSF Jawans for the 10 days to make sure that our shooting was smooth sailing,” reveals producer AS Kishore. The team had to travel three hours between the shooting location and Yumthang Valley where they were based.
Describing the upcoming Friday release as an entertainer, the director shares that Kothala Rayudu is about a man who comes to the city from a village and falls prey to false prestige, and how his life changes thereafter.
Wanted to shoot in Kashmir, but we didn’t get permission, hence we decided to shoot at the North-east border. I needed snow and a mountain backdrop; we were told that Zero Point has a picturesque setting. “It’s called Zero Point because there is no motorable road after the place and China is just a stone’s throw away
— Sudheer Raju, director