The actor-producer has multiple projects in Tamil and Kannada lined up for release under her banner - Sharmiela Mandre Productions.
Kannada actor-producer Sharmiela Mandre. (Supplied)
She was in London for two months, not on vacation but working full-time as a producer. Actor-turned-producer Sharmiela Mandre has a slew of projects releasing in the coming months.
In an exclusive interview with South First, she spoke about her upcoming multilingual projects, her roles as a heroine, and her recently-found love for being a film producer.
“Recently, I was in London for two months for the shooting of my Tamil project Kaadhal Konjam Thookala, directed by Balaji Mohan. The film has shaped up so well that I am super excited about it.”
Actor-producer Sharmiela Mandre. (sharmila.mandre/Facebook)
“I was so busy listening to the scripts and looking out for new talents for my upcoming production ventures that I didn’t even realise that a month into the new year had gone by quickly,” Sharmiela quipped.
After making her acting debut in the Kannada film Sajni, for which Oscar-winning AR Rahman scored the music, Sharmiela has had her share of ups and downs in her career.
Her father Dayananda Mandre is a well-known film distributor, and so are her other relatives who are closely connected with the industry as producers.
Joining the bandwagon of actors in the Indian film industries, she too ventured into production in 2018 through the Tamil film Evanukku Engeyo Matcham Irukku under her banner — Sharmiela Mandre Production.
At present, she has three films under production: Kaadhal Konjam Thookala (Tamil) will be released in Telugu and Malayalam, too; Sila Nodigalil (Tamil) directed by Vinay Bharadwaj starring Richard Rishi and Dasara (Kannada) starring herself alongside Sathish Ninasam in the lead.
“Kaadhal Konjam Thookala, a romantic comedy, is based on a book written by Sharadha. Sila Nodigalil is helmed by Kannada film director Vinay Bharadwaj of Mundina Nildana fame. It will have an entirely new cast,” the actress explained.
Sharmiela Mandre launched her own banner – Sharmiela Mandre Productions. (Supplied)
About her experience being a film producer, Shamiela Mandre said she initially found it exhaustive. But she eventually started to enjoy the whole process of it.
“I started my own production house to promote new talents and produce good content. Eventually, it turned into a brand by itself.”
“I’m the one who likes to be involved in every process of filmmaking as a producer — right from planning to execution and promotions. A whole month has passed by listening to scripts, planning, and then signing up for new projects,” Sharmiela added with a hint of excitement.
Asked why she opts not to act in all her ventures, she said the idea is to produce good content for which identifying good scripts is a task in itself.
“Thereafter, finding appropriate talents, planning and further stages is crucial. Hence, I choose not to act in all the films I bankroll,” she elucidated.
Sharmiela Mandre’s upcoming film ‘Mandala’. (sharmila.mandre/Facebook)
Kaadhal Konjam Thookala stars Kalidas Jayram, Amala Paul, and Dushara Vijayan in lead roles. The first schedule of the film was recently wrapped up in London.
The actor has a Tamil film lined up for release: Sila Nodigal directed by Vinay Bharadwaj starring Richard Rishi Ponnagai Poo Geetha, and Yashika Anand.
Meanwhile, her Kannada production Dasara, directed by Aravind Shastry and featuring Satish Ninasam in the lead, is gearing up for release in the coming days.
Mandala starring Anant Nag and Kiran Srinivas is hitting the theatres on 10 March.
These apart, Sharmiela Mandre is planning two more films — one in Tamil and another in Kannada.
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