‘Kavacha’ only 50 per cent like ‘Oppam’, says director

Actor Shivarajkumar’s ‘Kavacha’ is releasing today. The film, which is loosely adapted from Malayalam film ‘Oppam’, marks the directorial debut for G V R Vasu.

In a candid chat with Tini Sara Anien, the filmmaker talks about the journey.

What made you choose this script?

I was working on my own script when I watched ‘Oppam’; I loved the film. I got inspired by the script pattern and wanted to work on something similar.

How did you manage to rope Shivarajkumar in?

It was hard. Shivanna was not ready to work in remakes, he hadn’t done one for more than 14 years. I convinced him that I was going to rework the script. It was important for me to own the script and the emotions of the characters. After I narrated the reworked script, he agreed to work in the film.

How similar is ‘Kavacha’ to ‘Oppam’?

‘Kavacha’ is only 50 per cent like ‘Oppam’. Different characters have been introduced, I have enhanced the conflict in the film and made it contextual to its audience. Any script will have space for improvement and I used this opportunity. Malayalam movie buffs are different from Kannada film lovers; in Malayalam films, small sensibilities are appreciated by the audience but the nativity does not work here. The audience here would have felt a lag in the original film.

How was it to work with Shivarajkumar?

He is a director’s hero. It was a blessing to work with him; he was cooperative. I met him when I was a part of the team of ‘Killing Veerappan’. He excelled in his performance and is an asset in the film.