Once famous for its grape gardens, Kompally, on the suburbs of Hyderabad, still retains some of its greenery and offers an ideal location for movie shoots. The grape gardens gave way to the more lucrative residential apartments and educational institutions. One such popular institution, Narsimha Reddy Engineering College was chosen by Bharath Parepalli to shoot a few campus scenes and a song for his ambitious “love story with a new feel,” film titled Ishtasakhi . Scores of dancers and junior actors disguised as students gathered at the well laid out open space leading to the main entrance of the college.
The lead actors Varun, Bhaskar, Sri Ram and Anusmruthi, debutants all, after a thorough practicing session under the choreography of Venu Pal were ready to face the camera handled by cinematographer Shankar. After the camera assistant checked the light, the shoot commenced as Bharath ordered the nagra operator to play the song Sakhi Sakhi Sakhi Ishtasakhi… Nadumu Chooste Nallapoosa A couple of retakes, Venu Pal nods satisfactorily.
The feel good love story is set against a campus backdrop. hree fun loving youth (Varun, Bhaskar and Sri Ram) including a good singer, a talented painter and a versatile poet, are bosom friends and classmates.
Their life changes when a girl (played by Anusmruthi) joins thecollege.
The three fell in love with her, each trying to impress her with their artistic skills. “Sounds a familiar love story,” smiles Bharath. “But there is a new approach in the narrative that will surprise viewers,” he leaves it in suspense as the unit shifts to another location in the sprawling campus.
Bharath Parepalli's movies generally also leave a message for the youth. The love story he said takes an interesting turn when the lead actors come across a person (Ajay) who leads a movement. “The progressive leader changes the course of their life and the twists and turns that happen at a brisk pace mark an interesting viewing experience.” Bharath plans to shoot these scenes in the next schedule at the Paderu forest location.
“We plan to start our next schedule from March 1 to 20 at Vizag, Bheemilee, Araku and Paderu. Apart from the talkie and action episodes four songs are planned for this schedule. In one of those songs a popular director is scheduled to make an appearance to add value to the sequence.”
On selecting the actors for the lead roles, he said that he chose them to suit the characters to the tee.
“No comparison whatsoever but it is similar to how Tamil filmmaker Shankar chose his actors for Boys . In my film too their age, looks and personality match the roles they enact.” The entertainer presented by G. Gopal has Brahmanandam, Ali, Venumadhav and Raghubabu to tickle the rib while Tarzan plays the baddie.
The movie is slated for release in April
