‘I always wanted to produce my own film’
Golden Opportunity
Sandalwood is abuzz about ‘namma’ star Ganesh turning producer. The team of ‘Maleyali Joteyali’ speaks to Metrolife about its expectations from the film
There’s a great deal of anticipation and expectation in the air as Golden Star Ganesh is all set to turn a new leaf with the launch of Maleyali Joteyali’ his first home production under the banner of Golden Movies. “My first home production must have the best and nothing must be compromised. I always wanted to produce my own film and now’s the chance,” Ganesh says.
The film is scripted and directed by Preetham Gubbi, who says it took him nothing less than a year to flesh out the script. Preetham says he broached the idea of Maleyali Joteyali to Ganesh on his daughter’s birthday. “He was so excited that he fell in love with the script almost instantly. He decided to produce it himself because he wanted the story to be brought to life just the way I had narrated it,” says Preetham and adds, “this is the best script that I’ve written till date. I wanted to break free from set notions.”
The story is written and built on the concept of love and friendship. Whether two friends of the opposite sex can ever remain friends forever or whether every friendship should eventually lead to love, is what the movie is about.
Preetham refuses to reveal more but says, “It’s not the regular love story, one where three friends grow and blossom in love, that too of a different kind.” Ganesh plays the role of a student who goes to a hill station to pursue his studies. Preetham says most of the scenes in the movie are shot in the rain and that’s where Ganesh is transformed — in rain. “The rain does so many things to him. The rains have a story in themselves. Ganesh’s emotions are at his best when it rains,” explains Preetham.
Yuvika Chaudhary and Anjana Sukhani, both hand-picked especially for the respective characters say the script was too good to resist. While Yuvika’s role is subtle, Anjana is flamboyant, loud and boyish. Ganesh says that he chose his leading ladies as he thought they fit the bill perfectly.
Yuvika observes that the character suits her personality pretty well. “The role I play is a lot like me, it’s sober and in a way, it’s a journey inward. The script is overwhelming and I am eager to play the role,” Yuvika told Metrolife. She says her role captures the feelings and emotions of a middle class girl who is aware of the reality. “It’s a perfect film for today’s generation,” she says.
Anjana Sukhani says her role blends ‘two personalities’. “I play a girl who is a happy go lucky person and doesn’t give a damn to boys unlike most women her age,” Anjana says and adds, “the role is sweet and snooty at the same time.” She is also thrilled about being able to do a film in Kannada and thinks that for an artiste language must never be a barrier. And nothing can be more prestigious than acting with Ganesh, a superstar himself.”
While saying he’s going to thoroughly entertain people, Ganesh doesn’t want to give off much about his character. “Yes, love and friendship play a major part and I am excited about the role. It is something that I have never ever done before,” says Ganesh.
Shilpa Ganesh is the producer, cameraman is S Krishna, music is by Harikrishna, editor is Deepu S Kumar, choreographers are Harsha, Kalyan and Chinni Prakash and the dialogues are by Mahesh Shetty and Vinayak.
