After essaying the role of a ‘fictional’ CM in the Tamil film Mudhalvan 18 years ago, Arjun Sarja is all set to portray former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on screen.
The film, titled Bhumi Putra, will be directed by S Narayan. The film will be launched on May 8 and is expected to hit the screens by December this year, says Narayan.
Kumaraswamy and Narayan’s association goes back two decades.
The two have been friends and the latter has even directed three films — Surya Vamsha, Galate Aliyandiru and Chandra Chakori — all produced by Kumaraswamy’s Chennambika Films.
Narayan says, “Having been associated with Kumaraswamy for long, I have observed his political career and am impressed with his style of functioning. I wanted to make a film on him as he makes a good subject. When Prabhu Kumar, a realtor, showed interest in the theme, things just fell in place and the film came to be.”
Karnataka: Bengaluru: 07/07/2016: Film maker and Actor S Narayan in Bengaluru on July 07, 2016. Photo: V Sreenivasa Murthy
The timing of the launch and release of Bhumi Putra has raised eyebrows in the political circle. The film is being viewed as an attempt by Kumaraswamy to boost his image. Though the film is scheduled to release in December, the elections for the Karnataka State Assembly will be held in May 2018.
Political parties have questioned Narayan about the content of film. In fact, some BJP leaders from rural areas are demanding the inclusion of Kumaraswamy’s alleged betrayal to the BJP in the film.
Kumaraswamy says he is not embarrassed when people ask him about the issue of not handing over the power to BJP in the coalition government. “People do not know what happened during that time. I know the complete truth and told Narayan to present it to the people. There is no need for me to hide anything.”
Narayan responds, “The film per se is about a CM I know personally, not about Kumaraswamy. It is about what a CM could achieve in his 20-month tenure and how his pro-people approach made him popular. I am not thinking about political differences. The film is purely based on my observation.”
According to Narayan, “Kumaraswamy doesn’t mind being with people and working for them. When he took over as a CM in 2006, he said he is ‘servant of the people not a CM’. How many leaders have that kind of attitude?”
“The film will not criticise any one or any political party. It is a message-oriented film, which will also focus on his village stay,” asserts Narayan.
He is making an elaborate preparation before the launch of the film.
“It is a sensitive subject and should be handled carefully, without hurting any sentiments. It is not a docu-drama. Bhumi Putra will be a complete feature film with all commercial ingredients. I have also taken every possible precaution as the intention is to make the film a landmark in the history of Kannada cinema”.
Ask him if Kumaraswamy consented to the film and he responds, “He was completely against it, considering the political situation. Kumaraswamy even asked me to drop the project as he was afraid of people looking at it as a poll gimmick. However, at my insistence, he reluctantly agreed.”
Kumaraswamy adds that he was “surprised and embarrassed” when Prabhu and Narayan went to him with the film proposal.
“But, they assured me of making it a message-oriented film. I stoutly refused when they asked me to essay the lead role! I know my limitations. I am not an actor and told them it was impossible for me to act,” smiles the former CM.
But, Kumaraswamy is elated by the title of the film Bhumi Putra . “My father, HD Deve Gowda, is fondly referred as Mannina Maga (Son of the soil). I too have taken up the cause of farmers and landless labourers during my small stint as a CM. What better title one can choose other than Bhumi Putra,” he asks, and adds that he is thrilled that Arjun Sarja will depict him in the film.
