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The Kerala connection

Ambareesh has acted in a Malayalam film `Gaanam'

NEW INNINGS Former actor Sumalata Ambareesh, Ambareesh and A.K. Antony share a lighter moment

The newly appointed Union Minister of State, Information and Broadcasting, M.H. Ambareesh, is on song and there are no two opinions about it. Sharing the actor-turned politician's happiness is Sreekumaran Thampy who had directed Ambareesh in the Malayalam film `Gaanam.'

"Much before `Shankarabharanam' I had wanted to make a film on classical music. But it was difficult to find the right actor to play the hero. I was very particular about the casting. On my trips to Mookambika, I usually make it a point to watch a few Kannada films to find out what was happening in their industry. On one such trip I happened to see Ambareesh on screen and decided that he was Aravindakshan, the hero. Although he was then an action hero, he had large soulful eyes that I thought would be apt for my character of an impoverished youngster who proves that music knows no barriers of caste or class."

Thampy then got in touch with the star who agreed to act in the film. However, the film failed to click at the box office.

"Ambareesh was upset and he told me that he would act if I made an out-and-out commercial Kannada film. He felt that only such films of his would be a hit. That is how I made `Onthe Raktha,"' remembers the director who adds that he is thrilled that a person who knows cinema has been made the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting.

S.N.

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