For that original touch
Long after Dasara is over for this year, new director Maharudra is keen to get viewers acquainted with Dasara as observed in the northern parts of Karnataka. And he has roped in newcomers Chandrashekhar and Kasturi, who play grandfather and granddaughter in the film titled, ‘Banni’. Both hail from Gadag, adding that touch of ‘nativity’ or if you prefer, ‘authenticity’. Akul Balaji is the hero with Anand (better known as Master Anand), Kishori Ballal and Ashwath Neenasam in key roles. With the theme of harmonious co-existence, it is not to be wondered that most of the songs have the folk flavour. But wait! Didn’t S Narayan and S A Rajkumar indulge themselves in ‘Sevanthi Sevanthi’, spoiling the flavour of some well-known folk songs? In a repeat of sorts, that appears ominous, the ‘Banni’ unit has opted to get the tunes composed by Chennai-based Leo who claims to be a Kannada fan. But question him about bringing the native touch into the songs, and the unit springs up to his defence. One can only hope ‘Sevanthi...’ is not repeated here.
A clean entertainer on the way
Fortune favours the brave and Shahuraj Shinde is a fine example for this saying. After the debacle of ‘Snehana Preetina’, he is now directing ‘Arjun’ with his favourite hero Darshan. Another favourite — Harikrishna — scores the music. The producers have changed though. Along with Mohan, Narendranath and Kodanda, distributor Jayanna is also producing this film. Shinde has got Janardhan Maharshi to write the screenplay for his story along with dialogues as well. PKH Das handles the camera. Harikrishna’s smile perhaps eclipsed that of the entire group, with reason too. Arjun is his fifth film with Darshan. Whiel Darshan put forth this logic: Out of the 28-30 films he has acted in, 23 have been distributed by Jayanna and some of his forthcoming films are also being distributed by him. So Darshan need not worry about date clash and other stuff. But both Jayanna and Darshan were emphatic that they wanted to give a clean entertainer with lots of action. With Darshan in the lead, one section of the audience can be imagined to be impatient for the film’s release. Sadly, or otherwise, the heroine is to be finalised yet.
All for Jayanna
Challenging star Darshan knows no fear. Or so we thought until recently. The lanky actor revealed his fear of acting in Jayanna’s film. Why? Says the actor: “While discussing my character’s look, I reminded the producers that during Ayya I drove a silver Scorpio, while in Swami it was a Black Scorpio as a cop. I then jokingly asked, which vehicle would it be this time? (Darshan is playing a cop in Arjun again). Jayanna immediately said, Bolero. And the next day he even brought one. He wants everything to be perfect. Now I am scared if I can match up to his expectations.” No need to worry, Darshan. Your fans will ensure Jayanna is not disappointed.
