While he was an IT professional, Kiran Meegada gathered all the knowledge and experience he could to follow his childhood dream. And when he knew he was well equipped he set out to direct My heart is beating - adhola with two debutants. Slated for release on February 17, Kiran says he already has plans for a couple of new projects. “I have my plans sorted and worked on them for long. I waited to settle down before I could follow my passion. My last designation was project manager with an IT company abroad and though my job was purely meant to pay my bills, I gave my 100 percent to it. As a child I wanted to be associated with films and as I lived abroad I associated myself with the US schedule of three Telugu and one Kannada film. This was when I got a chance to assist Rasool Ellore,” explains Kiran.
Ask Kiran if directing was his dream rather than acting and Kiran says, “every director has an actor in him. Personally I would not refuse a cameo when offered but will stay away when I am directing. I don't want to mix both and lose focus. I prefer handling one at a time,” adds Kiran.
The film which is entirely shot in the US is a love story with a ‘twist in the tale'. And Kiran says he was looking at directing an offbeat movie but wanted to play safe and get noticed with the audience and people from the industry with a familiar theme. “Once this movie hits the theatres and we gauge the reaction I will be in a better position to approach financers and actors with the ‘different' story lines I have in mind. As a director I agree that love stories work at the BO but it is time we started experimenting with off beat themes,” he comments.
Kiran says he would love to cast Nani next, as the actor has portrayed several shades in a short span of time. “From being an RJ to an actor, Nani, I feel has played his roles to perfection. Another young actor who is intelligently experimenting with roles and proving to be a fine actor is Machu Manoj. I am looking forward to work with him and I have a special script for him,” adds Kiran.
As a director Kiran, says he wants to try fresh teams and themes as he hates to be type caste. “I will repeat my cast but not immediately. Maybe, in my third or fourth project. The actors and directors should have the experience of working with a variety of people. That way it is a learning process for the actors and directors as well,” says Kiran.
