Flashback in a Premier Padmini

The title of Kannadakkaagi Ondannu Otti, releasing across Karnataka today, means ‘Press 1 for Kannada.’

Kushal, its director, explains the title, “The phrase appears 15 to 20 times. The heroine calls the hero on the phone and pretends to be a customer care executive.”

Kushal is deeply influenced by Kannada literature and Hollywood directors Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg.

“Hailing from a village near Sakleshpur, I feel connected to Kannada literature. Poornachandra Tejaswi’s novel ‘Nighooda Manushyaru’ (Mystery Men) inspired me to write this film,” he says.

The film is based on a journey. “A Premier Padmini car is a character in the film and appears through 75 per cent of the footage.”

Chikkanna and Avinash are high-school friends who meet after a while. “They go for a picnic in the car and narrate their stories in flashback,” says Kushal.

In most films, Chikkana appears as a comedian. “I have tried to explore the actor in him. He is a brilliant artiste and his innocence worked well,” Kushal told Metrolife.

The movie has six songs written by Yogaraj Bhat, Nagendra Prasad and Kushal. Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Vijay Prakash and Sanjith Hegde have sung them to Arjun Janya’s tunes.

“The music is different from what Arjun Janya is usually known for,” says Kushal.

Shot at beautiful locations in Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and Bengaluru, the cinematography is also a strong point, he explains.

Big role for Krishi Thapanda

This is Krishi Thapanda’s first film as female lead.

“In the first half, I play Prameya, a carefree engineering student who says things to your face. In the second, I am a traditional Malanad girl,” she says.

Scenes were shot on a peak in Charmadi Ghat for four days. The team had to travel in tractors.

Avinash as Avinash

Theatre artiste Avinash Shatamarshana says he found some scenes difficult to pull off, especially the one where he had to propose to a girl.

Highlights of the film: “My hair! On a serious note, the screenplay is phenomenal.”