From Code to Cinema: Ravikumar Nasu’s Global Filmmaking Dream

3rd November, 2024 , Hyderabad, India
For years, Ravikumar Nasu’s nights were spent under the glow of computer screens, immersed in debugging and late coding sprints in Silicon Valley. Today, the same man stands under spotlights, calling “Action!” on film sets thousands of miles away from Hyderabad. His leap from engineering to directing is not just a career change. It’s the story of a dream that refused to be silenced.
Nasu first captured attention with UNLOAD 2021, a pandemic-era thriller filmed in Los Angeles. Released on Amazon Prime in early 2023, the indie drama about a father ensnared in a family entanglement scam became a quiet hit. Critics praised its “human-first storytelling” and the fresh directorial voice behind it.
Now, Nasu is back with a bigger vision. His sophomore feature, Padamati Sandhya Ragam, aims higher, blending love, suspicion, and betrayal into a cross-continental narrative that bridges Indian traditions with American realities.

A Blessing Before the Camera Rolled
The film began not with a clapperboard but with chants. On August 29, 2024, the cast and crew gathered at a Virginia temple for a traditional pooja ceremony. Lamps were lit, coconuts were broken, and prayers sought prosperity for the project.
“Even in America, carrying our traditions gives me strength,” Nasu said after the ritual. “The pooja wasn’t just symbolic—it gave us the emotional foundation to begin.”
For many American actors on the team, it was their first time witnessing such a ritual. “I’d never seen a film start with blessings before,” one cast member admitted. “It immediately felt like we were part of something larger than just a movie.”

Virginia Becomes the Canvas
Cinematographer Sai Kiran Ayinampudi described the experience as “a dream for lenses.” “The natural light here is golden, and every frame looks painterly. Virginia has a cinematic soul we couldn’t have replicated elsewhere.”
From cityscapes to serene countryside, the locations are shaping the film’s visual language. “We wanted Virginia not just as a background,” Nasu explained, “but as a character in the story.”

The Road Ahead: D.C., New York, and India
The film is slated to expand into Washington, D.C., with sequences at the Capitol Building and iconic streets downtown. A song shoot in New York City promises spectacle, while additional sequences in India will tether the narrative to its cultural roots.

A Team That Feels Like Family
If the project feels ambitious, the team’s spirit makes it possible. “Local communities have been incredibly supportive,” Nasu said. “Their help has allowed us to keep to our schedule.”
Assistant Director Padma Vayuvegula added, “This production is special because of its cultural fusion. Seeing Indian and American actors learn from one another on set has been inspiring. It feels like a living bridge between two worlds.”

Music as a Cultural Bridge
Music will serve as the film’s heartbeat, with sequences shot across D.C., New York, and India. The soundtrack aims to blend Indian classical elements with contemporary sounds, visually and sonically connecting East and West.
Dreams Rooted, Dreams Realized
For Nasu, Padamati Sandhya Ragam is more than a film. It’s proof that cultural identity can travel across borders, adapt, and thrive. “I started in Hyderabad, built a career in Silicon Valley, and now I’m telling stories in America,” he reflected. “This journey shows that dreams can survive distance and sometimes grow stronger because of it.”
With the film steadily progressing, anticipation is building. Padamati Sandhya Ragam is set to bring audiences an emotional tapestry of love, betrayal, and resilience told through the lens of a filmmaker whose story is as cinematic as the films he makes.