You can sign the biggest of stars, spend obscene amounts of money, create controversies and even make the film in 3D. But if it's bad nothing can save it from sinking at the box-office. Two recent examples are “Anna Bond” and “Katari Veera”. It's amusing to note that the debate amongst those who've watched both is about which is worse! The latter wins, but by just a whisker.
Munirathna, with a well-orchestrated plan, got more free TV time for ‘ KV' than any film in recent times. Various channels eagerly played host to Muni and his pal Manju's well-planned parleys about whose film should get released first. But when the heads of religious institutions raised a hue and cry over the treatment of Gods in the film, the only news channel to defend him was the one in which he reportedly holds stakes.
I'm sure Suresh Krishna who's made films like “Baasha” and “Sathya” will be regretting lending his name to this enterprise. I say lending because if you watch the making of the film you'll see him as a silent observer while Upendra calls the shots. The only soothing sight for sore eyes is Ramya who mostly sashays around in tastefully designed costumes.
Smitha who's rechristened herself Nivedita is livid with the makers of “Kiladi Kitty”. She says her role was reduced to that of a character artiste after being assured that she was one of the heroines. “I didn't ask them for a role. They came to me. In fact, even after agreeing I wanted to back out because I was uneasy with the way I was being treated. The director pestered me, assuring me that I'd have a duet and emotional interaction with the hero,” says the harried actress. “You know how easily we are branded in the film industry. I've always played heroine in all my films, never a friend or sister. Now this role has made me out to be the tomboyish friend of the hero. No one has any business to play with another person's career,” says Nivedita, sounding hurt.
“I mostly used my own clothes and jewellery because what I was offered was pathetic. There was neither a competent hairdresser nor make-up artiste but how will the paying public know all this.” The difference in treatment depending on success rather than seniority or talent on the sets can be downright humiliating. “Even the care the cinematographer takes to light you will depend on how nice you are to him. Believe me even the highest paid and most popular character artiste gets cold feet when confronted with a competent actress. ” Though the film is a mess, Nivedita has garnered good reviews with most critics lamenting at her talent being underutilised.
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