I don't write stories, I steal them, says Baahubali writer V Vijayendra Prasad

Screenwriter V Vijayendra Prasad, known for Baahubali, RRR, and Magadheera, said that he does not write stories but steals them. "Stories are there around you, be it epics like Mahabharat, Ramayan, or real-life incidents, there are stories everywhere. You need to represent it in your unique style," he said during his workshop session at IFFI 2022.

He was among the personalities honoured at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI). He also held a workshop titled "The Master's Writing Process'' where he shared tips for aspiring filmmakers. When asked about his blockbusters, he said a good writer should cater to the needs of the director, producer, primary protagonist, and audience. "I dictate stories. I have everything in my mind; the flow of the story, the characters, the twists."

Speaking about the beginning of his career, he said writing became his job much later in life and he "did everything possible to earn a living including agriculture before becoming a writer." He asked aspiring writers to keep the audience in mind. "I always try to create a hunger within the audience for my story and characters and that drives me to create something unique and appealing," reported ANI.

Prasad further revealed that the twist that happens before the interval is important to him and he organises the story accordingly. He added that writers have to create something out of nothing and present a lie that looks like the truth. "A person who can tell a good lie can be a good storyteller." He also suggested that writers open their minds up and absorb everything along with being their own harshest critics.

Prasad is currently working on the sequel to RRR.