Actor-politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy's next to be directed by Lakshman. Lyca Productions to debut in Kannada with the venture.
Published Aug 24, 2023 | 11:57 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 24, 2023 | 11:57 AM
Former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy with his actor-politician son Nikhil at the launch of the latter's untitled film. (Supplied)
Kannada actor-politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy will next be seen in a film to be directed by Lakshman who earlier helmed Romeo Juliet (2015), Bogan (2017), and Bhoomi (2021).
The yet-to-be-titled project went on the floors on Wednesday, 22 August. It marks Lyca Productions’ debut in Kannada.
In an interesting turn of events, former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy took centre stage at the puja ceremony for a different reason.
The muhurta of the untitled film was scheduled to be held at 3 PM on Wednesday. But the team was held up for reasons best known to them.
This was when Kumaraswamy, who was around the venue on political duty, learnt about the delay and rushed to the event to fill in the absence of his son Nikhil.
What followed for an hour till the film team arrived was a media interaction with the ex-CM talking about his past as a film enthusiast, distributor, and producer.
Former PM HD Deve Gowda with his son and former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy, Lyca Productions’s Subaskaran, actor Nikhil Kumaraswamy, and actress Yukti Thareja. (Supplied)
Kumaraswamy took the opportunity to recollect his days associated with movies as an exhibitor, distributor, and producer.
“Kannada films, mainly those featuring the legendary actor Dr Rajkumar, influenced me. I had little interest in studies when I was a student. But now, I’m studying 10-15 hours a day,” he noted.
He added, “I would watch a lot of movies. If not for films, I would have taken up a different profession or pursued engineering as my mother wished.”
The former CM said that the value-based films made in the past, especially those featuring Dr Rajkumar, were the main reason that eventually helped him connect with the people as a politician.
“Films back then were rich in human values and struck a chord with the public on various counts like family-oriented and emotional bonding. They mostly had a message for society. However, today’s movies are made with a profit mindset with hardly any values,” he pointed out.
Recollecting his initial days as a hardcore movie lover and then his venture as a distributor and filmmaker, Kumaraswamy shared that he did his best towards the progress of the Kannada film industry.
“I would watch as many movies as possible. I once watched Bahaddur Gandu (1976) four times at a stretch. I watched most of Dr Rajkumar’s films for at least 20-30 days in a month. My journey with films started while I was still studying in tenth grade. But, as a distributor, my first film was Onti Salaga (1989) featuring Dr Ambareesh,” he recalled.
The politician revealed that he paid around ₹10 lakh to distribute Onti Salaga in a select few regions and distributed several good films that were usually neglected or offered a lesser price. “Similarly, I distribute films like Panchama Veda (1990) and Bhujangayyana Dashavathara (1991) by believing in the content.”
He recollected that his attempts at making films failed at the script stage.
“My second film featuring Shankar Nag was halted due to the differences between the actor and the director. We successfully completed the movie, but sadly it never got to see the light of day!”
Actor-politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy and actress Yukti Thareja. (Supplied)
Kumaraswamy said he wants to make a film under his Channambika Films banner featuring Nikhil in a dual role.
“In fact, the project should have been in progress by now, but Nikhil is concerned that I would end up losing money. The story has a good message and emotional connect. I will produce it by next year once Nikhil gives a green signal,” he added.
He also recalled that Surya Vamsha (2000), the first film he produced under the Channambika Films banner, made at least ₹3-4 crore.
Chandra Chakori (2003) was another successful film that ran for over a year in a theatre.
The seasoned politician also shared that he never wanted his son to enter politics. “I wanted him to excel in acting. Many people suggested that he should continue in the film industry. However, he chose politics.”
He also noted, “He would have done more good films had he not entered politics. Even I would have contributed much more to the Kannada film industry had I not become a politician.”
When asked about his take on ticket prices, Kumaraswamy felt that more audiences would visit theatres if the ticket prices were lower and this would bring profits to the industry.
“It is tough to get certified by people in politics, despite being honest. But it is easier to win the hearts of audiences through making good movies,” he signed off.
