Aadi Lakshmi Purana ( ALP ) kicks off with the tagline: the kick of love and lies. The movie is described as a complete family entertainer. In fact, the hero of the film Nirup Bhandari says, “It is a film you can watch without feeling uncomfortable. It will take you on this wonderful journey between Adi and Lakshmi.”
The film is being promoted by none other than ‘Rocking Star’ Yash, as his wife Radhika Pandit, also known as Sandalwood Cinderella, plays the female lead. This is her first film after marriage.
A very-pregnant Radhika, walked in hand-in-hand with Yash, amidst loud cheers and whistles. The event was also attended by Rockline Venkatesh (producer of ALP ), actor Dodanna, and the entire cast and crew of the film, which included Tara and Suchendra Prasad.
Yash has also been instrumental in getting the project started. “I have seen this film grow from scratch. It all started when Suhasini Maniratnam told me about the script and introduced me to Priya (the director). I loved it and told Rockline Venkatesh about it and he was equally enthusiastic. That was my only involvement in the film. The rest is all the work of the brilliant cast and crew.”
He added that he does not restrain or force Radhika to act in films. “It is totally her choice. I am happy that she is back as I missed watching her on screen. She is a way better actor when compared to me. In fact, our home is filled with many of her Filmfare awards and State awards. And, if I try to advise her, she will sternly put me off with ‘don't try and teach me acting’! But, honestly, I too will continue to wait eagerly as one of her biggest fans to see her on screen again as it is always a treat,” said Yash, while Radhika blushed, pinched and elbowed her husband as he talked.
A still from the film ‘Adi Lakshmi Purana’
Tara stole the show, so much so that she was almost an anchor at the event! She walked around the stage with the mike, shared hilarious stories from the shooting period and also pulled Suchendra Prasad’s legs. They both play the role of Nirup Bhandari’s parents in the film. “I think I have done almost every kind of a role with Suchendra Prasad. In all my years of interactions with him, I never heard him utter a single English word with me. On the sets, we would all try to make him say at least one word, but all our tricks failed. Acting with him is not easy either. You have to be alert and try and match up with his emotions and skills. Else, he will overtake you in every performance and walk away with all the accolades. So, this way, he inspires you to always give your best.”
Then she thanked him for his co-operation and asked him what the Kannada word for the same was. There was huge applause from the audience, as she repeated the word in Prasad’s style and language. Tara also praised Radhika for her subtle acting skills. “You will never see her go overboard. She always underplays her emotions and looks natural on screen, which very few actors can carry off.”
Radhika looked radiant and smiled when she thanked Rockline, Priya and “all my colleagues here for making me a part of ALP . Finally, I want to thank my husband for coming to launch my teaser.”
Immediately, Yash took the mike from her hands and said, “I had to come, else you would not have spared me back home!”
Nirup, with his angelic face, shared stories of how he met Rockline and how thrilled he is to be acting with a woman director.
Finally, Suchendra Prasad in his signature style, said he had great fun working for ALP. Then he cleverly said, “Don’t think it is an age-old story just because it has the word ‘purana’ in it. In fact, it is very contemporary in its thoughts, execution and portrayal of characters. Something that each one of you will connect to easily.”
The other speciality of the film is that, not only is it directed by a woman, but also has a woman cinematographer in Preetha Jayaraman and Gita Gurappa as the sound engineer.
Tara concluded by praising Rockline Venkatesh, saying, “The credit for making this film goes to Rockline as he has always encouraged women to take centre-stage in real and on reel.”
