Familiar theme revisits
After numerous films on innocent boys’ struggle and transformation in the big bad world, comes a film that has a girl playing the role, for a change. ‘Mandakini’, is probably the seventh or eighth film by media professional Ramesh Surve, who has also written the story, screenplay and dialogue for the film.

 Initially reluctant to direct the film, Surve took the plunge when close friend Srinivas, also the producer, insisted that he direct the project himself.

‘Mandakini’ is the story of a girl who has passed only SSLC before coming to town. Rashmi, who shot to fame with ‘Duniya’, plays ‘Mandakini’, who undergoes a lot of suffering only to emerge successful in the end.

 Cast opposite her are four gentlemen, including villain Chetan, who is doing a lead for the first time.

 Sangamesh Upase, popular with  his compounder’s role in ‘Silli-Lalli’, Suresh Rai and Ashwin who has acted in ‘Operation Ankusha’ all play an important role in the life of Mandakini.

A speciality of the film is that all the cast and crew have been insured. The film, which has seven songs has music by K Kalyan.

Surve also revealed that a special song depicting the glory of Karnataka, will be shot in 40 taluks of the state.
He also does not forget to say that the intermission will have a shock in store for the audience.

Fresh faces
‘Darode’ is introducing another pair to the Kannada industry. Vinod Kamat, a relative of Jadugar, plays Navin, the director-aspirant-turned-robber while Aishwarya Nag, a Konkani lass, plays his girlfriend Suma.

An NRI, Aishwarya left her studies in Muscat and learnt Kannada once she heard about Uday’s venture. The grapevine is that she has shed many a pound for the role. Some dedication this!

No mean feat
Aishwarya Movie Creations has come up with a film called ‘Operation Ankusha’ in Kannada which its director and producer, H Vasudeva Rao claims to be the first of its kind in the history of film making.
Talking to reporters last week, Rao said, “The entire movie which lasts for a duration of two hours and 15 minutes has been shot in one angle (180 degree camera angle) in the front of a bungalow at Madikeri. We have approached the Guinness and Limca books to record this accomplishment.” Way to go!

Yet another ‘jadu’
Uday Jadugar is ready to loot. Make no mistakes. The acclaimed magician is directing ‘Darode’ (meaning dacoity). Uday is not new to the field. He has worked in ‘Bhoolokadalli Yama’ and as Upendra’s assistant in ‘H2O’.
This wizard, who has also directed a few telefilms, has been to Pune and New York to hone his directorial and camera skills. ‘Darode’ is about an ambitious youth who wants to direct an original film in Kannada, but loots a bank instead.

You may ask why? Yes, his girlfriend has a tumour.

 The film’s script is in the lines of a Sidney Sheldon novel where audience would be bombarded with a host of problems, the solution of which would emerge at the end.

No more the bad guy
Speaking of Chetan, one cannot miss the cat-that-swallowed-the cream-look on his face. This actor, who intended to play only negative roles, slowly graduated to do supporting roles before finally being cast opposite none other than Tara, in a devotional film. The tall actor now gets to romance the talented and bubbly Rashmi, who captivated the audience with her performance in ‘Duniya’.