The ‘D’ factor!
Producer Bha Ma Harish, who was instrumental in giving a ‘break’ to heroes like Darshan (in Majestic) and Deepak (in Shishya) is now introducing another hero whose name again starts with the letter D. But to know his full name, we have to wait till November. However, the title of the film is easily available. Harish has called his new film, Jedarahalli. Now, this word instantly brings back memories of a gangster who, after coming out of jail, announced that he was reformed and remained away from the underworld. The Film Chamber, sensing the connection, had earlier rejected Harish’s choice of name. However, he managed to convince them that Jedarahalli was home to some good people too. After registering the title, Harish made it clear that the film will have elements of love, sentiment, action and ‘pure’ rowdyism.

Harish intends to convey the message that rowdyism doesn’t pay in the long run. Haven’t we heard this before?

With starry eyes
Last week we spoke of Mandakini, a talented youngster who has ambitions of achieving laurels in academics. This week, we are speaking of another girl, who wants to make it big in modelling. Yes, we are talking about Hogi Ba Magale, the maiden venture of producer Y N Ashwin under the Sri Amruteshwari Banner. A three-hero movie, Hogi Ba Magale, has Deepa Chari playing a young, professional model who faces all the known problems any modern working woman has had to face, and is facing even now. Attin, Manoj and Santosh Kumar are the men in her life. Seems that Sai Prakash’s Hetre Hennanne Herbeku, starring Rekha paved the way for more woman-oriented films.

All new
Hogi Ba Magale is not just a woman’s story. This production boasts of a ‘green’ cast as most of the cast are newcomers along with the crew.

While Attin, Deepa Chari, Manoj and Santosh Kumar lead the cast, the film is directed by H Raju, who had earlier assisted director M V Rajshekhar. Music is by singer L N Shastri, camerawork is by R Ganesh and editing, by S Narayan. A matter of delight, the six songs of the film have been sung by Rajesh Krishnan, Hemant, L N Shastri, Suma Shastri, Nandita and Sunita — all of them Kannadigas!

Screenplay, story and dialogues are by Narayan, a distributor who has tried his hand at all these departments for the first time. The producer is impressed by his team which has shown dedication and commitment that is normally missing from experienced campaigners. Time will tell.

All the similarities...
The name Ravi Srivatsa brings up varied memories. Of Ganda, Hendthi & a Boyfriend, the Kannada remake of Murder and Ee Rajiv, Gandhi Alla, one of actress Rakshitha’s last films before her marriage. Now, the director has roped in Shivanna to act in and as Madesha. A film that ‘explores the mother-son bond’, Madesha, has Shivanna playing a villager who also happens to be street-smart. There is an element of the underworld as well. Before you start drawing comparisons between Madesha and Jogi, listen to what Ravi has to say. He swears that there is no resemblance at all between the two (uh uh?). But one cannot deny a pattern here. Just as in Jogi, Shivanna is in a different avatar here. Another similarity: Another Mumbai girl will be taking a bow with this film. But what is an elephant doing next to the actor? Haathi Mere Saathi anyone? Hope not.

Interesting combo
After Datta, Chi Gurudutt is back with his second film, titled Kamannana Makkalu. And who plays Kamanna? Doddanna. His makkalu? Rockline Venkatesh and Sudeep. An interesting combination this. Gurudutt is also repeating his heroine Ramya opposite Sudeep. Rockline, who won viewers over in the comic caper Dakota Express and was the sole reason many watched Police Story-II is promised a substantial role here. For more details, watch this space.