At a time when chilren’s films are rarely being made in Kannada, Director Nanjundegowda, known for his films ‘Chukki Chandrama’ and ‘A,aa,e,ee’, is busy in shooting the film ‘Naanu Gandhi’ at Aralalu Sandra, a remote village in Channapatna taluk. Based on Dr Besagarahalli Ramanna’s story ‘Gandhi’, written 30 years ago, this film is “an effort to explain the relevance of Gandhian principles in today’s context”, he says.
“In fact, I had planned it as my first film. The story, when I read it, haunted me so much that I made up my mind to make it into a film. It was a success when staged as a play also”, Nanjundegowda elaborates.
The film is mainly how the younger generation looks at Gandhiji. “What do they think about Gandhiji? Are they influenced by him? What is their reaction to Gandhiji’s principles? The film deals with all these issues and more importantly, we are focussing the youngsters in middle and lower classes”, he explains.
The story is woven around three main characters in a lower middle class family. A grandfather (Sadashiva Brahmavar), his widowed daughter (Prameela Joshoy) and her son (Likhith). “The grandfather who is a freedom fighter and an ardent follower of Gandhiji’s principles, names the grandson after his Gandhiji. He wants to see the rejuvenation of Gandhian values in his him.
The story unfolds in such a way that it touches both the children and the grow ups alike and my focus is on explaining the Gandhian values through children”, Nanjundegowda makes his point clear. Besides, the film will also focus on computer education in rural schools. Master Likhith, a ninth standard student at Arbindo School, is in the lead role.
 The film is being shot in two schedules of 25 days each. Hamsalekha is composing the music.