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From Naviladavaru to Advaitha

Last updated on: January 25, 2011 10:07 IST
Ajay Rao

Get your low down on what's happening in the world of Kannada cinema, right here!

Ajay Rao is playing a writer in his next film Advaita. Directing him will be Giriraj of Naviladavaru fame.

Giriraj had made a notable mark for himself in the industry by using a still camera to make Naviladavaru. The film that was made on a Rs 35,000 budget was showcased in Spain. This time around Giri will be using a Super 16 camera. 

While terrorism was the subject matter of his first film, in Advaitha, Giriraj will give life to the story of a writer who gets trapped in the underworld. "We won't see the writer changing his weapon from pen to hatchet here, in turn it is about how his writing skills will get him out of the underworld," says Giri.

Speaking about why he chose Ajay, the director says, "I have worked as an assistant to director's Nagabharana and Shashank. I was a part of Shahshank's Krishnan Love Story too and this is where I met Ajay. He is a potential actor and I wanted to work with him. At the same time I wanted to cast him in a role that he hasn't played before. Advaitha came as the right opportunity."  

Being a writer himself, will we get to see streaks of Giriraj in Ajay's character?

"Well, every writer shares a give and take relationship with his characters, whether or not there are shades of me in my lead character is something people who know me will tell after watching the film," he says.

The film will be launched this month end and is expected to hit theatres in July. Right now, the search for the leading lady is going on. The team will shoot in Chickmagalur, Bangalore and Mangalore.

Ready for Mr Duplicate?

Last updated on: January 25, 2011 10:07 IST
Prajwal and Devraj

Prajwal's dream of sharing screen space with his actor father Devraj has come true with Mr Duplicate. The father and son duo have just begun shooting for the film in Mangalore.

"We share a very friendly father and son relationship. In this film too we are shown sharing a fun relationship," says Prajwal.

Mr Duplicate will see Prajwal in a character with grey shades. "After Geleya, it is in this film that I play a character with negative shades. But then again its only in a flashback scene that my negative shades are shown," says Prajwal.

Mr Duplicate is a story of two friends from college who meet after a long time and end up falling for the same girl.

Sheetal who has acted in Zamana is the female lead. Digant is the other male lead. Kodlu Ramkrishna is the director.

 

Kitty's new avatar

Last updated on: January 25, 2011 10:07 IST
Kitty

Kitty seems to have made a good start this year. While his film opposite Ramya, Sanju Weds Geetha, is set for a month end release, he also has a radio series to look forward to.

Kitty has lent his voice to the character of Lord Rama in a series called Radio Ramayana. While the programme has been on air for over a month now, Kitty's voice will go on air this week.

"Among the things that have stood the test of time is the epic Ramayana. It feels good to be associated with a project that is showcasing this epic," says Kitty.

What delights him further is the fact that he gets to voice his favourite character, Rama. "While Ravana is someone who has always intrigued me, I liked Rama for his truthfulness and sincerity," he adds.

Popular artiste Sharath Lohitashva will voice Ravana's character while Dilip Raj is Hanuman's voice. Actress Sihi Kahi Geetha and dubbing artiste Champa Shetty have also lent their voices. Nasarudin Shah, Anupma Kher and Om Puri are among the artistes who have lent their voices for the Hindi versions.

Radio Ramayana is broadcast on Fever 104 between Monday and Friday at 7am.