It does a world of good for a fledgling director’s confidence to be backed by a marquee name, especially as a producer. Very few stars have ploughed back from their earnings to encourage aspiring talent with fresh ideas which is the need of the hour in Kannada cinema. Most consider it a risk not worth taking. Some of them don’t even have the guts to produce pot-boilers starring themselves in the lead. Puneet Rajkumar has always yearned to work with talented filmmakers irrespective of where they hail from. He makes it a point to call a director or actor whose work he’s liked. Puneet had just watched ‘Nandalala’ and couldn’t wait to share his joy. When he called Mysskin and praised him profusely, the latter could hardly believe. They did try to collaborate later, but couldn’t zero in on a script that excited both. An avid viewer of world cinema, Puneet also makes it a point to watch Kannada films where content is the star. He loved ‘Godhi Banna’ and when Hemanth narrated the idea for his next, ‘Kavalu Daari’, he decided it would be his first production under the banner PRK Productions. The film was slightly delayed because Hemanth suffered an injury, it is now complete and due for release by the end of March. “It was a pleasure because he was totally non-interfering after green lighting the project,” says the relieved director, who’s keeping his fingers crossed since second releases are the acid test when your debut is successful. Radhakrishna is a youngster whose life revolves around cinema. After a dream debut for a youngster in a film starring Shivraj Kumar was thwarted by an unexpected twist, just before the launch, Radha wrote a crime caper with some comedy thrown in. He narrated it to M. Govinda who had produced ‘Dodd Mane Huduga’. Govinda was excited because it was a narration that was well rounded with no loose ends. There were no heroes, just opportunists. Govinda recommended Radha to Puneet who okayed the project immediately and decided to co-produce the film and approved the title, ‘Maya Bazaar’. The cast consists of an interesting array of actors, from Prakash Raj to Sadhu Kokila, Vashishta and Raj B Shetty. Radha made it very clear to Prakash that his character was not central but pivotal. “I was impressed by the boy’s confidence and fresh approach. We need to encourage youngsters like him with fresh thoughts,” Prakash had told me.
Ruppi’s resort owned by Upendra is a convenient weekend getaway for folks who don’t want to drive too far. Uppi has also built a sprawling bungalow, airy and bright in which he wants to eventually settle in. Till then it’s being let out for ‘shooting’ selectively. It’s the last day before Prakash Raj wraps up his portion for ‘Maya Bazaar’. It also happens to be the last day Prakash will be donning make-up for some time now, at least till the elections. It’s a crucial scene, a confrontation between three key characters played by Sadhu, Raj and Prakash. Radha has till lunch break to finish Prakash’s portions and looks slightly harried. Sadhu Kokila lives up to his name and breaks into his favourite numbers between shots when not pulling someone’s leg. He breaks into Ilaiyaraja’s classic ‘Thendral Vandhu Ennai Thodu’ with the right embellishments. Then it’s Lata’s ‘Lag ja gale’ from ‘Woh Kaun Thi’ and ‘Kahin Dhoor Jab Dil’ from ‘Anand’. Prakash joins in while the lights are being set up for the next shot.
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“I’ve been wrapping up all my pending assignments from January. I finished Mahesh Babu’s film, ‘9’ in Malayalam and ‘Dev’. This is the first time I’ll be taking such a long break from cinema. It’s going to be a different journey, a new experience,” says Prakash. Radha shoots a sequence from various angles and the cast delivers with practised ease. “It’s a pleasure to watch them improvise,” says Radha who’s nervous as well as excited. Sadhu Kokila is a source of encouragement. “Work has to be completed. Don’t worry about the amount of time it takes. Be cool,” says the ever effervescent multi-talented personality. “I’ve never played such an interesting character,” says Sadhu. Raj B. Shetty who’s also helped Radha fine tune the script is a pleasant presence on the sets. “My only worry is if I’ll be able to remain rooted to reality in the long run,” confesses Raj.
Prakash has to look into a cache of cash and express a variety of emotions. He does it effortlessly and bids farewell. The crew requests for a keepsake. “If anybody lives in the area I’m standing from do vote for me. You’ll not regret it,” says Prakash, as he hurries to his car. His career has taken a more challenging curve. It remains to be seen whether fawning fans will stain their fingers in his favour.
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