Nestled in the quaint settings of Tatipalli, a small village within the expanse of Telangana’s Medak district, an innovative Telugu indie film has taken shape, capturing both the region’s dialect and the zealous spirit of its youth. Dubbed “Double Engine,” the film follows the escapades of a 21-year-old protagonist named Muni and his friends as they embark on an adventurous quest for a double-headed snake with the hope of striking it rich. This adventure comedy-drama paints a portrait of self-discovery and rural charm, set against the backdrop of Telangana’s countryside.
The brains behind this engaging narrative are Rohit Penumatsa and Sasi (also known as Camp Sasi), who operate under the moniker Rohit & Sasi. The indie film world has already felt their presence; their prior works under Avanti Cinema have garnered a cult following in the digital realm, earning them the status of underground cinematic sensations.
“Double Engine,” slated for a theatrical release on January 5, is a 110-minute journey seeped in the Telangana dialect, and doubles as the duo’s tribute to the language. The film’s premise is inspired by the local crime world lingo, which uses the term ‘double engine’ to refer to the phenomena of double-headed snakes.
The storyline irons out over 2021, centering on Muni’s aspiration to become an actor. In between traveling to Hyderabad for auditions and driving his brother-in-law’s seven-seater auto to eke out a living, Muni lands parts in projects like the web series “Kotha Poradu” and RGV’s “Aasha Encounter,” which was based on the real-life Disha encounter incident.
The seeds of “Double Engine” were planted when Rohit and Sasi caught wind of Muni’s return to his village to assist his mother with a health survey during the pandemic. The idea of fashioning a movie around the village’s curiosity about Muni’s acting experiences crystallized into a project redolent of Iranian cinema’s storytelling style.
Their exploration led them to Tatipalli, a hamlet of stone-wall structures reminiscent of a Western movie set. Learning of local double-headed snake hunts, Sasi envisioned an interesting narrative thread. The film’s title emerged from their musings, catalyzed by a team member’s insight into the slang ‘double engine.’
The cast, a medley of theatre performers and first-timers, embodies parts of Muni’s real-life persona, including his aggressive mannerisms and his dexterity with vehicles. The filmmakers honed their script and dialogues to each actor’s strengths, employing an improvisational approach that blurs the lines between scripted lines and spontaneous performance.
With nearly two dozen films under their belt, Rohit and Sasi employed meticulous planning and guerrilla filming tactics, which left their producers astonished at the rapid 12-day shoot that spanned Hyderabad and Tatipalli – without any wasted footage. This quick and resourceful filming strategy has become the filmmakers’ trademark.
As they stepped into Tatipalli each day, the authenticity of the locale offered the film an irreplaceable verisimilitude. One of “Double Engine’s” distinct attributes will be its faithful rendition of rural life and the Telangana tongue. Amidst the regional film industry’s increased use of this dialect post the state bifurcation, Rohit and Sasi aim to immortalize the language of Telangana’s youth as a testament for the future.
The music, too, resonates with the region’s cultural harp, with a spellbinding score composed by their decade-long collaborator Vivek Sagar. The soundtrack celebrates the eclectic mix of languages, including Lambadi and Telangana, and is anticipated to be a standout feature of the film.
For sound recording, they teamed up with Aditya, with Teja ASGK designing the audio landscape and Ajit Abraham George, an industry veteran with over 700 films to his name, mixing the final output. The film was shot in sync sound, further adding to its sonic authenticity.
Initially geared for digital platforms, “Double Engine” now gears up for a selective theatrical journey, with audience-friendly ticket pricing geared toward building grassroots support through word-of-mouth.
Speaking on the decision to retain authentic rural lingo even at the risk of an ‘A’ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Sasi explained that the goal was honesty, not shock value. The film’s rating spurred confidence in their approach, as it was seen as recognition rather than restriction.
Post “Double Engine,” Rohit and Sasi are eyeing the release of “Sheeshmahal,” previously delayed, while preparing for their new project “Gopi Galla Goa Trip.” Meanwhile, the anticipation builds as over 100 fan-created posters for “Double Engine” populate social media, signaling the filmmakers’ rising clout in the indie film arena.
