Time-tested subject

After Mathad Mathadu Mallige, director Nagtihalli Chandrashekhar and producer K Manju are back with a time-tested subject – Love. In Olave Jeevana Lekkachara, Nagtihalli speaks of the various permutation and combinations of love. Based on his own short story, published in 1992 in Kannada magazine Mayura, Nagtihalli says this love story will be a play between ideology and love and won't restrict itself to a mere love story.

Nagtihalli first wanted to make Yayati into a film but budgetary constraint and the lukewarm reception to Mathad Mathadu... forced him to reaffirm the belief that he can give good romantic films. Sure enough, he promised that this film was also to be in the Nanna Preetiya Hudugi and Amruthadhare mould. Olave Jeevana Lekkachara is a story that takes place between three major roles! Plus there is the rail attraction. As such, the unit is trying to get permission to shoot in the Konkan Rail belt, from Sakleshpura to Subrahmanya.

The film will be shot in Bangalore, Madikeri, Mysore and Chitradurga in a 40-day schedule. Music is by Mano Murthy who will be composing tunes for five songs of which one will be a Purandara Dasa keertane while efforts are on to use one of poet Lakshman Rao's poems. Krishna, better known as Srinagara Kitti, was thrilled to be acting in Meshtru's film. Rangayana Raghu is the other main character. Anvita, a Mysore lass, who is currently based in Dubai and who has a theatre background is the heroine. In a case of history repeating, Anvita like Deepali of Nanna Preetiya Hudugi also mailed Nagtihalli and landed the role. Nagtihalli has plans to bring the film on the screen before this monsoon.

Chaya’s back

After a long gap, singer B R Chaya is making a comeback in Neenyare?,composer V Manohar's 100th film. The singer whose Hindustanavu Endu Mareyada, Belli Rathadali… and other songs are evergreen, has sung two songs – Varava Needada Devaranu and Hrudayava Belagida Bandhu Neenu — both written by Manohar. But why hadn't she sung for so long? Her husband Padmapani had an explanation (Chaya was busy shooting for a television programme): The producers did not call her and so the listeners were deprived of listening to her songs. To which Manohar had a retort: When a singer stops singing for sometime, it is natural that there will be a gap. But before the issue got out of hand, both reminded themselves that the singer had done a good job. Indeed, listening to the songs later, one could discern more depth and maturity in Chaya's voice — more suited for contemporary singing. It remains to be seen whether her talents are put to use properly by our producers.

Who’s the heroine?

Director Shashi Sindhoor of Neenyare? was narrating the story to his editor when suddenly the editor asked him to just narrate the climax. Puzzled, the director obliged. Then he asked the editor if he didn't like the story. Shaking his head, the editor said, “the story is quite strong and as I am a hypertension patient, I can't sustain all the excitement. So I asked you to narrate the ending instead.’’ That was an indication of the story's potential, Shashi said.

The shooting of the film is complete but the unit has dropped a bomb. The heroine of the film will be unveiled only in the film! For those who had seen Ramya Barne at other press meets of the film, this came as a surprise as the media had reported that she was the heroine of the film, opposite Suraj of Shivani fame. But the director chose to put the blame on the media, saying it was assumed that Ramya was the heroine. With a title like Neenyare? it was perhaps, the director's idea to sustain interest in the film till its release. Lyricist Kaviraj has also penned songs for the film of which one is inspired by a real incident.

Neenyare? sure seems to have lots going for it.

Aramane (Kannada)

Actor Nagashekhar has directed Aramane, a family entertainer featuring Ganesh, Anant Nag, Tejaswini, Tara, Avinash and Karibasavaiah. Roma Asrani of Notebook fame is paired opposite Ganesh, who dons a series of fancy dresses for a song in the film. The music is composed by Gurukiran while Shekhar Chandra is responsible for the cinematography. Screenplay is by Preetham Gubbi and Ranganath has written the dialogues.