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From text to film

Sundeep bases his debut feature, SMS 6260, on the messaging craze

SCENE FROM THE MOVIE Sundeep chose SMS because the youth relates to the theme

While all and sundry moan about how SMS has taken away privacy, creativity and of course language — the 2, gr8, and similar aberrations put forth the case strongly — there is Sundeep Malani whose debut feature, SMS 6260, is all about this annoyingly convenient communication medium.

The beginning

The film, billed as the first crossover film in Kannada, is expected for an early 2007 release. Local lad Sundeep started off organising stage shows and has since graduated into the world of cinema. First he played supporting actor in Tulu films, moved on to second lead status in Richard Castelino's Konkani movie Bogasane, followed it up with roles in several Kannada films and has ventured into writing and direction.

Sundeep was in the city recently to promote his forthcoming film Miss California, scheduled for release on June 9. Sundeep, who has worked as assistant director for films such as 123, Manasella Neene has co-directed Miss California. However, it is SMS 6260, which Sundeep is enthused about, having written the story four years ago.

Sundeep chose SMS because "the present generation is very much into SMS. While the process is fun, if it is not used properly it can land people into a whole lot of problems as well. I have tried to depict this effect within a bunch of closely-knit friends whose friendship falls apart after one such SMS. The rest is how they go about clearing the whole confusion."

His reason for choosing a crossover film for his debut is because "there is a global audience for such films. The language is colloquial with a lot of English words thrown in. Bengaluru Kannada forms the base. Audience from six to 60 years will be able to identify with the language and the events.

"The success of films like Hyderabad Blues and Mr. and Mrs. Iyer has revealed that people do enjoy different kinds of films. It is not necessary to stick to a particular language when one is making a film with the youth in mind. Besides, I plan to dub the film into other languages such as Tamil and Telugu."

Reasoning that crossover cinema can provide the much-needed international platform for Kannada films, Sundeep says the speciality of SMS 6260 is the "background score. I have used old and new songs from various films. The film has four songs; two in English, one in Kannada and one is a remix of Hamsalekha's popular song in Premaloka. I got the rights for the song."

Digital format

Sundeep, who has opted for the digital format, says: "The Mumbai based UFO Moviez have agreed to do the digital conversion. While this will enable me to release SMS 6260 simultaneously in many centres across Karnataka and outside, I also intend to go in for a few prints so that the film can be released in multiplexes across the State as well."

Produced by Janu and Prahlad Arasu, SMS 6260 features new faces in Diganth, Janu, Smrithi, Vimal, Badri, Danny, Karan, Prithvi, Silver Malani and Anisha. Only Diganth, Janu and Prithvi (who played Vishnuvardhan's daughter in Vishnu Sena) have acted in films before. Veteran actors Dattanna and Jayalakshmi bring their expertise to the table.

JAIDEEP SHENOY

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