There is a ‘rags to riches’ story behind the well-known movie director of Kannada filmdom Nagatihalli Chandrashekhar. Born in a poor family in a rural area, Chandrashekhar worked hard to earn his bread even during his school days. This famous director was once working on nightshift for Rs 4 per day  till he got M A in Kannada with eight gold medals and two cash prizes for securing first rank in 1985. The theatres, in which he was employed to write boards and also as gate keeper, later screened his award-winning films.
His works are taught in colleges and there are many who have done their doctoral thesis on Nagatihalli’s stories.
Eighteen books, eight mega serials, ten films, 24 foreign jaunts, a 15-year service as lecturer are all to his credit.
Excerpts from an interview with the talented Nagatihalli Chandrashekhar:
Your appointment as the panel chairman of the State Film awards selection committee.
 I had got an invitation twice earlier. But I denied the opportunities as I was on some foreign tours.
Even now I have work, but it’s wise to accept the third opportunity at least, I thought. I believe it’s my duty to work in this panel.
Selection of films for awards usually invites controversy. How will you manage this?
During my 15-year service as lecturer, I never took bribe to give marks. Even now I maintain this discipline.
Nobody can poke their nose into the panel’s work. I don’t succumb to threats or lures. If any member is found corrupt, or biased, he will be dismissed. This is not a prime minister’s post. I have strong conviction that my colleagues will co-operate in this democratic selection process.
Your opinion on previous controversies, confusions and yardsticks...
We don’t have to repeat the mistakes made by others. We will keep in mind the government’s rules on cinemas while selecting and there will be no discrimination between arts and commercial movies. We select the best in all.
However, we can’t satisfy everybody. It’s enough if the outsider,  an intelligent audience, approves of and appreciates the Nagatihalli team’s selection.
There is increasing lobbying for tax exemption for remake films...
There is so much of lobbying for remake films that it’ll be of no wonder if the government announces tax exemption, subsidy and even award for these films in future. It’s unfortunate.
I’ll never direct a remake, even if I happen to be unemployed. If such occasion arises, I’ll just resign. Even after Jogi, Amritadhare, Nenapirali, Mungaru Male and Duniya have been box office hits, I don’t understand why should one go for remakes.
Your experience as the first Kannada film director to have attended the Cannes festival...
There was no mention of Kannada at all. Today, the whole world is looking forward to Indian films. All the other regional language films are grabbing the opportunity while in Kannada filmdom they are busy pulling each other down.
Many wrongly assume that festivals are meant for art films only. They spend Rs 3 crore on movie, but they don’t spend Rs 3 lakh to make a DVD with a quality subtitle.
Even today Puttanna-Rajkumar’s movies are in great demand in the global market.
Details on computer facilities and library provided to a school in your village.
I do what I have to repay the debt I owe to my village. However, even there is lack of co-operation from some local leaders.
About Matad Matad Mallige...
It’s a pro-rural movie which tells you about the attacks on villages in India, today. It may appeal to those with a rich heart and sharp brain. Let’s see how audiences receive it.