The calm and quiet campus of the Postal Training Centre (PTC) at Nazarbad here on Sunday was abuzz with the camera rolling to take the first shot of ‘Devi’ a Kannada film produced by Akash Audio owner Madhu Bangarappa.
Also, it is Madhu Bangarappa’s first stint on big screen in the lead role. He had earlier acted in a special role with Upendra in the Kannada Movie ‘Gokarna’.
Speaking to media persons before the muhurat shot, he said that the idea to act as a hero was suggested by his friends and a close aide around seven-eight months back, whose name he refused to reveal.
Technically strong
As their production house had involved in the production of 17 movies, he believes that they are capable of churning out technically strong movie. Commenting on ‘Devi’, he said that the ground work started around six months back. Optimistic about its success , he said that they are well equipped to deliver a neat product.
Reminiscing an incident where he had to take advise from ‘Crazy Star’ Ravichandran, Madhu Bangarappa said the latter told him to enjoy his new role.
He said that the movie will be shot on a 70-day schedule, with majority of the portion to be shot in Mysore and Bangalore. Sneha Ullal (Hindi movie Lucky fame, where she had acted opposite Salman Khan) and Akanksha are playing female interests, with Ishwar wielding the megaphone. Veteran actor Charan Raj will be seen in a supporting role, while Ravi Kale is playing the bad man, he added.
To a query, whether it wasn’t too late for him to donne a hero’s role, Madhu Bangarappa retorted, “I know I don’t fit into the shoes of a college student, but I’m really not that old.” He said that his brother-in-law Shivaraj Kumar and cine actor Upendra are the sources of encouragement.
Former chief minister S Bangarappa and wife Shakuntala Bangarappa, cine actor Shivarajkumar, Madhu Bangarappa’s sisters Sujatha and Geetha, renowned lawyer C V Nagesh couple, former MUDA Chairman P Govindaraj, actress Sneha Ullal, dialogue writer