Former cop turns actor

Abdul Azeem is entering into films. The former cop who contested the assembly elections last time is now playing an important role in Nishedhagne (which means prohibitory order), to be directed by Padmanabh, who has also written the story and the screenplay. The film, to be launched on Sunday also has Adi Lokesh, Priyanka, Neenasam Ashwath, Padmaja Rao and others. The story is based on some real incidents involving Azeem, the cop.

Azeem, who quit the service shortly before the last Assembly elections, had given a good account of himself at the hustings. Now, with a film that celebrates his achievement, Azeem can sure hope to see a better political future as well!

Actress to fight election

After Soundarya, Jayamala and Pavitra Lokesh, it is the turn of Umashri to feature in Girish Kasaravalli’s latest offering Gulabi Talkies, based on writer Vaidehi’s book on the same name. With the auteur working his magic, Umashri’s performance can only shine some more. The industry acknowledged her substance, following her powerful performance as Putmalli in Ravichandran’s Putnanja. However, the actress with a strong theatre influence has set her eyes on an Assembly seat in the coming elections. The actress who was an MLC earlier, is keen to work with people in a more direct manner. After Anant Nag, Umashri will perhaps be the first to realise this dream.

Mathematics teacher

He was first noticed for his weird psychopath roles in Sunil Kumar Desai’s films Tarka, Utkarsha among others. His unconventional looks made him one of the favourite villains for a while. Films like Huliya showed him to be a fine actor. Devaraj went on to become a hero, even playing Veerappan in the film Veerappan! He also played the role of a police officer with panache. And now, Devu turns Meshtru! Devaraj plays a mathematics teacher in Mahadev’s Meshtru. Unlike his police roles, where he wielded the baton to teach rogues a lesson, Devu uses his teachings in this film to bring them on track. And assisting him in this endeavour will be Dileep Pai, who was last seen in Road Romeo. And, after a long time, actress Bhanupriya will be seen in the film, opposite Devu. According to director Mahadev, the teacher solves all problems through mathematics. The story is supposedly based on a real incident.

Mahatma as police inspector

We all know Mahatma Gandhi was also known as M K Gandhi, in short for Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Now, M K Gandhi will be seen in a film called Maharshi. Thankfully, this is not another caricature of the Mahatma, but only the name of the Police Inspector in the film! Director Krishnabrahma has many more such tricks up his sleeve. A Telugu novelist, this MCom holder impressed the producers to make his story into a film. Working for 14 Telugu films will stand him in good stead, he says. Another underworld based subject, Maharshi tells the story of a student who enters the underworld ‘due to circumstances’. “But he will not become a baddy,” Krishnabrahma hastens to assure. Actor Prashant, who impressed in his debut Orata, I Love You is the hero here. Pooja Gandhi plays his sweetheart. As a concession to a change in character, Prashant sported a ‘soft’ look, coloured hair and clean-shaven face! Pooja Gandhi is delighted to work in her first action film as well. The film will be shot in Bangalore, Udupi and Kodachadri for 45 days and has seven songs composed by Srimurali.