‘Daredevil Musthafa’ is crowd-funded by the readers of Poornachandra Tejaswi: Director Shashank Soghal

The Kannada film is based on one of the seven short stories from 'Abachoorina Post Office', a compilation of seven short stories.

ByShashiprasad S M

Published May 09, 2023 | 4:12 PMUpdatedAug 10, 2023 | 4:35 PM

Daredevil Musthafa director Shashank Soghal

After director Pawan Kumar’s Lucia (2013) — the first-ever crowd-funded film in Kannada — no other movie has been financed through that model.

Though some ventures claim to have been made through a similar mode, Daredevil Musthafa falls well within the category of crowd-funding.

At least 75-100 investors are coming together to produce this directorial venture of Shashank Soghal. Interestingly, some of them invested in Lucia.

Abachoorina Post Office

working still Daredevil Musthafa

A working still from ‘Daredevil Musthafa’. (Supplied)

Daredevil Musthafa director Shashank Soghal is popular for his Kannada short film titled Patinga (The Oar, 2015) — a story of a pizza delivery boy.

Shashank reveals that he is a huge fan of legendary writer Poornachandra Tejaswi and the journey of his film dates back to the first time he read Poornachandra Tejaswi sir’s book “Abachoorina Post Office”, a compilation of seven short stories.

“When I listened to the audiobook in Suchendra Prasad’s voice, I decided to make one of the short stories — ‘Daredevil Musthafa’ — into a full-fledged movie,” he told South First.

The filmmaker says he did his best to convince the producers in investing in the project.

Since the subject required fresh talents, all within the age group of 17 to 18 to fit into the roles of PUC students, several producers were sceptical and refused to be a part of it.

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Social media plea

shashank soghal still daredevil musthafa

A working still from ‘Daredevil Musthafa’. (Supplied)

However, as a last resort, Shashank Soghal shared his desire of making the movie on social media.

The director’s short film Patinga got him a few followers on social media. When he revealed his plans, to his surprise, hundreds of people started responding in favour.

“Most of those who responded were huge admirers and readers of legendary writer Poornachandra Tejaswi. Some of them even include those who previously invested in Lucia,” Shashank recalled.

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Spreads communal harmony

daredevil musthafa cast

‘Daredevil Musthafa’ is a college-based comedy-drama. (Supplied)

The short story, Daredevil Musthafa, is about how a group of youngsters relate to their new classmate named Daredevil Musthafa. The comedy-drama takes a twist when the only Muslim student gets admission into the college.

According to the director, the beauty of the film is that the writer propagates communal harmony in the simplest yet most effective manner.

“There are no elements of preaching and it is straight and simple. We worked honestly to create the world for the audience as depicted by Poornachandra sir,” Shashank asserted.

Also Read: ‘Farhana’ is not a propaganda film: Director Nelson Venkatesan

Tribute to Dr Rajkumar

A still from Daredevil Musthafa

A still from Shashank Soghal’s ‘Daredevil Musthafa’. (Supplied)

When the Daredevil Musthafa team came out with an innovative animated video as a tribute to Kannada thespian Dr Rajkumar, it caught the attention of the late Dr Puneeth Rajkumar.

“Being a great admirer of Dr Rajkumar, we planned and released the animated video as a tribute to him. Puneeth sir, who saw it appreciated our work. Thereafter, PRK Audio owned by Puneeth sir bought the audio rights of our film,” Shashank Soghal explained.

Daredevil Musthafa casts actor-producer Daali Dhananjay, Aditya Ashree, Abhay, and Supreeth Bharadwaj in key roles.

It is releasing in theatres on 19 May.