Kannada film star Upendra and director Shashank share a good rapport, having collaborated in movies such as Krishna Leela and Jarasandha for which the actor had lent his voice for a few songs. This time around, they are teaming up for a movie that will see Upendra playing the lead role and Shashank wielding the megaphone. Besides directing the film, Shashank will be bankrolling it under his own production house.
The pre-work for this project has begun and the shooting will commence from March next year onwards. Details about the rest of the cast and crew should be out soon. Reports say that the scripting is completely done and Shashank will shift his complete focus to the project after the release of his upcoming film Thayige Thakka Maga, which will be out in theatres on November 16.
Shashank’s initial plan was to produce Thayige Thakka Maga and leave the direction to another director, but with two directors – Raghu Kovi and Ved Guru – opting out of the project for various reasons, he decided to don the director’s robes as well. Thayige Thakka Maga stars Krishna Ajai Rao, Ashika Ranganath and Sumalatha in the lead roles. Shashank and Krishna Ajai Rao have collaborated for two movies – Krishnan Love Story and Krishna Leela – earlier and both the films were big hits. Interestingly, both these movies had hit a century at the box office and the duo hopes that the magic continues with Thayige Thakka Maga. Judah Sandy is composing the tunes for this flick with Shekhar Chandru cranking the camera.
Upendra is currently busy with a slew of films including Uppi Rupee, Home Minister, I Love You and Ravichandran. An accomplished actor and director, he has won several awards in his long career, including Udaya Film Awards for Best Actor for the film A, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Kannada for the film Upendra, South Indian International Movie Awards for Best Actor for starring in Katari Veera Surasundarangi and so on. He has proved his mettle as a director, producer and actor.
(Content provided by Digital Native)