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'Simple Agi Ondh Love Story is a feel good film'

This week's release, Simple Agi Ondh Love Story (A Simple Love Story), is among the most awaited Kannada films of the year.

Just 10 days after a trailer of the film was released on the internet, it received over one lakh hits and due credit must go to director Sunni's dialogues, Manohar Joshi's brilliant camera work, and the onscreen chemistry of the lead pair Rakshit Shetty and Shweta Srivatsava.
 
"For the first time in the Kannada film industry, we were planning to shoot with Red Epic camera hence we decided to do a test shoot.

It was Sunni's idea to shoot a trailer to convey the essence of the film to the media.

'This trailer will generate a good frist day turnout'

"When the trailer was well received by journalists, we decided to upload it on social networking sites. There too it went on to become a hit.

"We were very sure of the script but were worried that the lack of star value may affect the initial turnout. But this trailer, we think, will generate a good first day, first show turnout," says Rakshit.

His team could not have been happier, for what started as a profile project has turned out to be the talk of the town.

"My aim was to establish myself as a director in the industry," says Sunni, adding, "So I thought of making this film on a budget as low as Rs 30 lakh and releasing it in only 20 theatres."

'The film is being released in 65 theatres'

"I just hoped that people from the industry would watch the film and give me opportunities to direct big films.

"But thanks to the interest the trailer has generated, my friends and family came out to support me. I even acquired TV rights.

"Today, the film has been made on a Rs 1.50 crore budget and is being released in 65 theatres across the state," says Sunni.

"The story is told from three different points of view. It also takes place in three different seasons. It is a feel good film. I was inspired to write this story after watching a play in which Ravana comes in the form of a beggar to lure Sita.

"Eighty percent of the film focuses only on two characters and what happens in a day," says Sunni, giving us a sneak peek into the plot.

'Simple Agi Ondh Love Story is a feel-good film'

What has also heightened the curiosity factor is the film's music.

There are six songs composed by debutant B J Bharath. While Sunni has penned a couple of songs himself, he has given several newcomers an opportunity to write the lyrics.

Prakash, a physically challenged person is among them. "Impressed with the poems he posted on a social networking site, I offered him a chance to write a song for the film," says Sunni.

That song, Karagida Baaninalli... and another Baanalli Badalago... that has been shot on green mat, are chartbusters now.

The film releases March 8.