What if you can't recognize the faces of those near and dear to you? You call it a disease. Scientifically, it is termed as Prosopagnosia. In layman terms, it is 'face blindness'. The Telugu film 'Prasanna Vadanam', written and directed by newcomer Arjun YK (a Sukumar protege), draws its material from the medical condition. After playing an oppressed lover boy in 'Ambajipeta Marriage Band', actor Suhas will be seen with a disease-affected, vulnerable youngster in 'Prasanna Vadanam', whose teaser is out.
The teaser begins with an injured protagonist talking to a doctor about his parents' picture. "I don't know who they are," he says. Viva Harsha, his sidekick, is shocked. Slowly, his girlfriend's face (Payal Radhakrishna) and others' faces are blurred to indicate that Suhas can't recognize any of them. This disability gives him anxious moments.
The film, also featuring Rashi Singh, Nandu, Tamil actor Nitin Prasanna, Sai Shweta and Kushalini, has essentially been made as a suspense thriller. "We have screened the movie to a few individuals. Right from Vijay Bulganin's music to my costumes, people are excited about it," Suhas said.
"I didn't know about face blindness until this movie came my way. I am not a fan of thrillers. I like drama more. When director Arjun described 'Prasanna Vadanam' as a thriller, I was a bit reluctant. But his narration was so arresting that I couldn't say no," Suhas said.
Director Arjun wrote the story of the film more than two years ago. Apparently, the incidence of face blindness has gone up in the Covid era. "I describe my film as a survival thriller. As an idea, I stumbled across this disease randomly on the Internet. Others might have dealt with this subject in South Korea, for example. I am confident that my movie is way better in terms of treatment. The 2011 film 'Faces In The Crowd' had a different story. Just because someone has made a horror movie, it doesn't mean my horror movie is like that movie. Similarly, 'Prasanna Vadanam' is different," the director said.
The film is produced by Manikanta JS and Prasad Reddy TR, who clarified that 'Prasanna Vadanam' was made for theatres. "This is not an OTT movie at all," they added.
The film's release date will be announced soon.
