The filmmaker is releasing a poster about the project on 1 February evening and a motion poster on 2 February.
Director Hemanth M Rao's next is with Dr Shiva Rajkumar. (Supplied)
Versatile filmmaker Hemanth M Rao, who is basking in the success of Side A and Side B of Sapta Saagaradaache Ello is back big-time, and how!
This time, he returns to realise his dream of directing one of his favourite actors — Karunada Chakravarthy Dr Shiva Rajkumar.
In an exclusive interview with South First, Hemanth M Rao talks about his dream project.
While many are waiting forever in a long queue to direct Dr Shiva Rajkumar, Hemanth Rao has just managed to realise his dream as a filmmaker, which he says is a “big fanboy moment” for him.
Referring to Shiva Rajkumar as Shivanna, as the actor is fondly called, Hemanth says, “Like many filmmakers, directing a film for Shivanna is a big moment in my career and is even more special for me since I have been a great fan of his works.”
Kannada superstar Dr Shiva Rajkumar. (X)
He hastens to add, “Firstly, I have slightly changed my working style. This time, there won’t be any long gap between my previous film and the next venture.”
Following his debut with Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu in 2016, Hemanth Rao helmed two more critically acclaimed films — Kavaludaari (2019) and Sapta Saagaradaache Ello (2023).
He has also co-produced several films under his banner Lost and Found Films.
“To do anything new with Shivanna is a great challenge in itself. He has 125-plus films to his credit. It is certainly new for me, and I am equally excited to explore the action-drama genre with Shivanna. I enjoyed the most while making Sapta Saagaradaache Ello, especially the last 20 minutes of its Side B, which was a pure action sequence,” Hemanth Rao quipped.
As to how he bagged the Shiva Rajkumar film, Hemanth Rao explains, “Vaishak, a young doctor in his 20s, is a diehard fan of Shivanna. He told me he liked all my films and that I am his favourite director. This is where it all began. It was he who suggested making a movie with Shivanna. I was astonished by his conviction and vision to set up a production house — VJF Films.”
Hemanth Rao further shares that Vaishak had quit his profession and is now a full-time producer. “He is certainly not here for just one film but plans to produce at least one quality content in Kannada in a year.”
Stills from the film ‘Sapta Sagaradaache Ello-Side A’. (X)
Hemanth Rao, known for his unique storytelling ability, reveals that the idea behind his next film with Dr Shiva Rajkumar struck him while he was shooting the climax of Sapta Saagaradaache Ello-Side B.
“I enjoyed the last 20 minutes of the action sequences of Side B. This is when I thought of a one-liner and eventually started developing it. When I shared it with Shivanna, he was excited about it. It will be an action-drama and certainly not a sci-fi venture,” the director clarifies.
Interestingly, Shiva Rajkumar clapped the muhurat shot of Kavaludaari, which was produced by Dr Puneeth Rajkumar.
“One great quality of Shivanna is that he is straightforward and does not hold back his thoughts. He has seen all his films, including Sapta Sagaradaache Ello, and expressed good things about the film and its making,” he adds.
Asked if the new venture with Dr Shiva Rajkumar would also be a two-part film and released in multiple languages, Hemanth Rao quips that they have no plans to release the movie in multiple languages but are focusing on making it first in Kannada.
“And yes, it will be a one-part film. Apart from penning the story and screenplay and directing the movie, I am looking to form a fresh team for this venture. Since I am sure how the project will end with the current storyline, there will not be any prequel or sequel to it,” the director explains.
So, when is the film expected to go on the floors? The filmmaker released a poster on Thursday evening (1 February) with some details. A motion poster about the project will be released on Friday, 2 February.
“We don’t want to start the film immediately. Going by the amount of time the character demands, Shivanna is expected to fulfil all his present commitments. He too expressed the same and will give us ample time so that we can shoot the movie without any pressure,” Hemanth Rao adds.
Incredibly honoured to be working on my 5th film with the legend Dr. Shivarajkumar. I have always made every film like it is my first and last film; extremely excited to go on this journey with #VaishakJGowda @NimmaShivanna @Vaishak_J_Films pic.twitter.com/UZZNqf3Hbu
— Hemanth M Rao (@hemanthrao11) February 1, 2024
To direct a film starring Kannada superstar Dr Shiva Rajkumar is a dream for any filmmaker, especially the present generation of directors.
Thanks to his impressive cameo appearances in films like Jailer (2023) and Captain Miller (2024), Shivanna has caught the attention of non-Kannada filmmakers, who cannot wait to cast the star actor in their projects.
His next is in Telugu for Ram Charan’s yet-to-be-titled RC16, directed by Buchi Babu Sana.
In Kannada, Shiva Rajkumar has no less than a dozen films lined up for release.
That’s just a small introduction as to how busy Shivanma is. His next major release in Kannada is Karataka Damanaka, directed by Yogaraj Bhat.
He is paired up with the dancing sensation Prabhudeva. That is expected to follow by Bhairathi Ranagal and then, composer Arjun Janya’s debut directorial 45.
ಕರಟಕ ದಮನಕ ಟೈಟಲ್ ಸಾಂಗ್ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದೆ!https://t.co/8mCdwR5GT7@PDdancing @yogarajofficial @rocklineent @nishvikaa @PriyaAnand @harimonium @shyamchilling @aanandaaudio#KaratakaDamanaka
— DrShivaRajkumar (@NimmaShivanna) January 30, 2024
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