Another sunrise
S. SHIVA KUMAR
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Prajwal Devaraj is all set to take the silver screen by storm while Shivarajkumar is upbeat about the release of Ashoka
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OPEN ARMS Prajwal is confident of pursuing his business management course as well as his film career
Another star son, Prajwal, is set to scorch the silver screens. About a year ago, at Vajreshwari Combines, Puneet was all praise for Devaraj's good-looking son. "Watch out for him," Puneet had said. A few months later one was surprised to hear that the prestigious Usha Kiron banner has signed Prajwal. The lanky, good-looking Prajwal does not possess his father Devaraj's imposing physique nor his baritone. One feels he could have waited for a couple of years. "I know. We rejected a lot of offers but this was too good," says Prajwal, about Sixer, his debut film. "It is cricket based, but I'd like to call it a love story without love."
Prajwal shares screen space with two debutante heroines and is directed by Shashank, a newcomer. Prajwal has learnt dance and stunts. He studies BBM at Jain college. "I signed the film only after I was convinced I could manage both." His idol is Puneeth. "His dances and fights are amazing. He is not scared of taking risks and I want to be like him," says the dreamy-eyed Prajwal, who has watched Akash several times. All the best Prajwal and hope Sixer does as well as Lagaan!
Old wine
Suchitra Film Society screened the 25 years old, but still relevant film, Thaneer Thaneer. The director K. Balachander was present for an interactive session and was also felicitated by the master of black and white cinematography, V.K. Murthy. The scratchy print with obviously no grading done awakens you to the pathetic levels of preservation.
It must feel like seeing an injured offspring for the director. "It's a sad state, but we lose control when we make a film for an outside producer," laments KB.
In a lighter vein, KB recalled how it poured on the day of the film's release and the distributors were scared it would lose it's relevance. However, the film went on to become a big hit. "MGR made sure it did not win a single State award though I won the National award for best screenplay," said KB. The irony is that it was MGR who coaxed KB into making films. The interactive session was marred by puerile questions. Age sits lightly on the auteur. "The slight loss in hearing reminds me of my age," quips the genial director.
"He insisted that we book him in a hotel that did not cook non vegetarian food," says Vidyashankar, who heads Suchitra. He's just wrapped up Poi, produced by protégé Prakash Raj and is going to start a film for Kalai Puli Dhanu's production. "It's been my ambition to produce a film directed by KB," says Dhanu. The film will star newcomers.
Not a historical
Shivanna's Ashoka is opening today. It has been in the cans for a while. "It's not a historical," says Shivanna, making sure people don't mistake it for a costume drama. By the way, the tearjerker Anna Thangi is a bigger hit than Jogi in North Karnataka.
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