Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is turning camera savvy. Apart from preparing to don the role of reel Chief Minister in “Summer Holidays,” a bilingual children's film being directed by national award winning film-maker Kavitha Lankesh, Mr. Siddaramaiah has also occupied the hot seat in the popular television show “Weekend with Ramesh” that is hosted by noted actor, director Ramesh Arvind.
This is said to be Mr. Siddaramaiah's first appearance on a talk show in an entertainment channel.
According to sources in the entertainment channel, the shooting of the show is currently underway at Abbaiah Naidu Studio in Uttarahalli. A senior official of the channel told The Hindu that the programme will be aired on Saturday and Sunday, with each episode of 90 minutes duration.
A research team comprising of eight members headed by programming head (non fiction) dug into the life of Mr. Siddaramaiah and interviewed his associates, friends and relatives. “The research team went to Siddaramanahundi in Varuna hobli to trace the Chief Minister's childhood days. Besides, many people from his village, his friends, teachers and his colleagues have spoken extensively about him. It will almost seem like a documentary on Mr. Siddaramaiah's life,” the channel official said.
Asked whether the Chief Minister's wife Parvathi would appear on the show, the official said there was no confirmation and added that the team was trying hard to convince her to appear on the show. The audience is curious to know about Mr. Siddaramaiah's wife, who makes no public appearances. Unlike other politicians, Mr. Siddaramaiah has kept his personal life away from the media glare. “However, Mr. Siddaramaiah's son Dr. Yatindra will be part of the show and he has already reached the studio,” he said.
It is significant to note that, Mr. Siddaramaiah's mentor and patriarch of Janata Dal (Secular) H.D. Deve Gowda was a guest on the show. This is the third season of “Weekend with Ramesh,” which has had famous personalities, including actors Prakash Rai, Priyamani, former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde, among others.
