“If you want me to tell a story, I can tell one for 11 years,” laughs famed television director Anil Kumar, reminiscing about his Telugu serial Manasu Mamatha, which enjoyed an impressive 11-year run on Eenadu Television (ETV). Now, at the age of 73, Kumar is gearing up to weave a new tale with his latest daily serial, Vasantha Kokila, also airing on ETV.
The new serial promises an engaging narrative centered around the life of Sandhya (portrayed by Padma Laksha Setty), a working woman who shares a deep, loving bond with her in-laws. Her husband, an army officer, is initially believed to have perished during a military operation. As Sandhya grapples with her loss, her in-laws encourage her to remarry, a suggestion she initially resists but ultimately agrees to. However, the story takes a dramatic turn when her first husband, who was presumed dead, makes a shocking reappearance.
Anil Kumar has also written the story for Vasantha Kokila, explaining that the title serves as a metaphor for the emptiness in Sandhya’s life. “Kokila (koel) sings only in Vasantam (spring), and the protagonist Sandhya too waits for the season to bring new colors into her life,” he elaborates.
While stories with similar themes have appeared on screen before, the director believes that the honesty in his screenplay, coupled with an army backdrop, will evoke strong patriotic emotions and make for compelling viewing. Kumar emphasizes, “Vasantha Kokila has no negative characters; there are no villains in the serial. Instead, adverse circumstances take on the role of the antagonists.”
The name Anil Kumar is not unfamiliar to those who follow Telugu television. His career spans over four decades, beginning with a ten-year tenure as an associate and co-director in Chennai during the 1970s. He first stepped into the spotlight as a director with the Telugu feature film Ooha Sundari in 1984.
. This was followed by other notable films including Anuraga Bandham, Anaadiga Aadadi, Bangaru Chiluka, Punya Dampatulu, Parama Sivudu, and Donga Rascal. His latest film, Gamyam, starred prominent actor Srikanth.
Kumar’s television journey began with the 13-episode series Wonder Boy, which he describes as a ‘learning experience.’ “The direction techniques remained the same, but the screen size changed, and so did the screenplay,” he notes. Over his 30-year television career, he has directed eight serials, including Antharangalu, Vidhi, Padmavyuham, Thurpu Velle Railu, Pelli Pustakam, and the ongoing Rangula Ratnam. Each of these serials boasts unique storylines and has enjoyed significant viewer engagement, with some running for over 750 episodes. However, it was Manasu Mamatha that proved to be a milestone, with multiple interconnected storylines spanning over 3,350 episodes.
Anil Kumar attributes much of his storytelling prowess to his time spent as an assistant to writer Satyanand. He has always viewed the family unit as a central theme in his work, a perspective he credits to his middle-class upbringing and his passion for creating stories that resonate with diverse audiences. “TV means drawing-room entertainment. Family members should be able to watch a drama happily, without feeling bored or embarrassed by the content. Understanding each other is an important part of being a family or a couple; this simple message can be delivered without being preachy,” he remarks.
For those eager to follow Sandhya’s journey, Vasantha Kokila airs on ETV Telugu daily at 1.30 pm, continuing Kumar’s legacy of family-centered storytelling that captures hearts and imaginations across generations.
