Soaring success
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Mahesh, the young director who gave Puneet Rajkumar his biggest hit in Akash, says he is indebted to the Rajkumar family
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AN ORIGINALInspite of Puneet, the success of Akash goes almost entirely to Mahesh
The blessings and confidence of bigwigs is the most important thing for a budding director. Mahesh was lucky. "My mother and elder brother Raghanna had immense faith in his abilities," says a beaming Puneet. Mahesh can stake a claim for the success of Akash even though it stars Puneet, because the treatment is slick and nothing is overdone.
"The film collected 14 lakhs in the first four weeks and that's just in our theatre," says Janardhan, the manager of Uma theatre. Akash is Puneet's biggest hit. Mahesh sensed he had churned out a hit when after a trial show, the entire Rajkumar clan, from the elders to the kids congratulated him. But the one thing that moved him was when Rajkumar introduced him to Rajnikant and said: "He's from my village and is responsible for the success of Akash."
Excerpts from a chat with Mahesh.
Tell us briefly about your background.
My uncle owned a theatre in Chamarajnagar. So I've always been an avid moviegoer. After completing 12th standard I got into a diploma course, but decided to come to Bangalore to do something connected with films. This did not impress my family. My elder brother helped a lot. One of his friends knew producer KCN Kumar who recommended me for a job as assistant director. I started out working as an assistant in a TV serial before joining various directors like Vijay Reddy, Kishore Sarja and M.S. Ramesh. My contact with the Raj Kumar family started when I worked with Puri Jagannath for Yuvaraja. We vibed very well. He did not know Kannada and knowing Telugu, I was the translator. He wanted me to work as an associate in Appu as well. Shivraj Kumar liked my work and recommended me to his brother Raghavendra. I was nervous but agreed. I liked Puneet the first time I saw him. I would be guiding Puneet because of the director's language problem. Puneet was impressed with the way I helped him with voice modulation. I worked in Abhi too. After Veera Kannadiga the family unanimously decided that I would direct a film for them. Puneet had a one-line story idea that he was keen on doing. We got the approval of his uncle Vardanna and that's how Akash happened.
Is it intimidating to work with a big star?
He is the superstar today. Every director, old and new, wants Puneet in their movie basically because he's an effortless actor and does not poke his nose in others affairs. He respects everyone and encourages talent. We're friends and he confides in me.
How big a hit is Akash?
Puneet's first film Appu was his biggest hit. Akash is a bigger hit. I'm glad I'm partly responsible. I also think it's his best performance. He's underplayed beautifully.
Usually first time directors are bursting with story ideas. The story and screenplay of Akash are not yours. So what's your contribution?
I was a part of all the story discussions. Vardanna (Rajkumar's brother) was impressed with my ideas and so was Raghavendra. I also had the freedom to improvise on location. I believe that converting others ideas into celluloid is very difficult. I believe in crisp dialogues. Cinema is a visual medium and the less said the more conveyed. I was a little worried about the second half but the audiences have loved my work. My next film will definitely have my story and screenplay. The writer of Akash, Janardhan Maharishi was impressed with my work and I think that's an achievement.
You've worked under various directors so obviously you could not have imbibed any one persons' style.
Everybody is different. Some are obstinate, some are moody but the way I suggested changes impressed all of them. All of them wanted me to work with them again and again. I would take care of the dubbing and re-recording which shows the confidence they had in me.
Akash has every ingredient in good proportions. With such a good screenplay was it necessary to take a dig at Tamilians in such sensitive times?
I was a little worried when I heard the dialogues initially. But the intention was not to hurt anyone. It was done in good humour and nobody's complaining.
The positive vibes that the hero exudes has gone down well with audiences. Is it based on someone?
It was not written with anyone in mind but he is like Puneet. It suits him. You will always see him smiling. You will never catch him gossiping about other heroes. He's very positive. He's worried about others as much as he is about himself.
I think with this success producers will want you, but with Puneet.
(laughs) That's true. I'm working on some subjects. The first preference will be for the Rajkumar family. They have given me an identity. They had the guts to back me. I'm indebted to them for life. There are some people who want to remake it in Hindi and Telugu but nothing is for sure. As far as originals go I want to take time and make a good film.
S. SHIVA KUMAR
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