Filmmaker Maruthi Dasari is on cloud nine with the overwhelming response to his latest Telugu romantic-comedy “Mahanubhavudu”. He says he is thrilled they are able to spread the thought of cleanliness through their film.

In the movie, actor Sharwanand suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). He likes everything around him to be spotless.

“We believe the hero’s obsession for cleanliness goes in tandem with the Swachh Bharat campaign. We are happy we’re spreading (awareness about) cleanliness through our film. I feel like contributing to a national cause through my film and it gives me immense satisfaction,” Maruthi told IANS.

He added that he has been getting compliments from all quarters.

“I think we were able to take this thought (of cleanliness) through a powerful medium like cinema to the masses. A lot of people have appreciated the fact that the film offers more than just entertainment,” he said.

Released last week in cinemas, the film has struck gold at the box office.

With an opening weekend worldwide gross of over Rs 30 crore, the film has emerged as the biggest opener in Sharwanand’s career.

According to trade analyst Trinath, “Mahanubhavudu” is a festival winner.

“Amidst stiff competition from ‘Spyder’ and ‘Jai Lava Kusa’, which released for Dussehra, ‘Mahanubhavudu’ managed to strike big at the ticket window. It has clearly emerged as a festival winner, considering it’s a small film in terms of budget and scale,” Trinath told IANS.

Produced by UV Creations, the film also stars Mehreen Pirzada.