The Kannada film industry failed to provide a cracker of a movie this Diwali. But post the festival, there are a few releases that look interesting. First up are Bodyguard and Maduve Mane.

After a long hiatus, Jaggesh will make an appearance in Bodyguard. Despite the film being a remake, the actor is confident that it will strike a chord. "Yes, many people may have watched the Malayalam, Tamil or the Hindi versions, but the Kannada film will still appeal to viewers," he says.

Is he not worried that film goers will give it a miss because the Hindi version was released only recently? "When I got the rights of the film, there was no talk of the Hindi remake. Now that the film has been remade and released, little can be done. Anyway, our version will stress a lot more on emotions. When I was talking to director Siddique, he asked me to incorporate more emotional sequences in the film. He said Salman Khan wanted to lay more stress on action rather than sentiments and comedy in the Hindi version.

"Also, it's unlikely that people in interior Karnataka will have seen the Hindi film. More than anything, I am returning to the silver screen after a gap and my fans will surely come to the theatres to encourage me," argues Jaggesh.

His liking for Siddique's scripts that are high on family sentiment also made him consider the remake, he adds.

"It's not that the film is full of sentimental scenes. There will be heavy duty action scenes choreographed by Thriller Manju, and also several comic situations. Pristine locations in Karnataka that feature in the songs make the film a complete package. An entertainer awaits you this Friday," concludes Jaggesh.

Bodyguard is a love story between a rich girl and her bodyguard. The title role has been essayed by Dilip in Malayalam, Vijay in Tamil and Salman Khan in Hindi. Nayantara, Asin and Kareena Kapoor played their leading ladies respectively.

Daisy Shah is the heroine of the Kannada Bodyguard. The film will be released in America as well.

The other release Maduve Mane stars Golden Star Ganesh.

Shraddha Arya describes the film as "A love story without romance".

"I play a very bubbly role in the film and have been given a lot of scope to emote. What added to the fun was that I was paired opposite a professional star like Ganesh," says Shraddha.

She also says that she cherishes working in South Indian films as filmmakers here are very respectful and professional. "They give you so much respect even if you are a newcomer. I am looking forward to doing more films here. In fact, after seeing my Maduve Mane posters, some producers have approached me," she says.

Doesn't the delay in the release of the film bother her? "The film is finally releasing. Actually, Maduve Mane was supposed to be my first film but Double Decker, opposite Jaggesh, that I signed much later, released first," she says.

Pose the same question to debutant director Sunil Kumar Singh and he quips, "See, if it is a love marriage one can run away and get married but in case of an arranged marriage, there is bound to be a delay as several rounds of negotiations take place. Our film centres on an arranged marriage, thus the delay."

On a serious note, he says, "There has been a delay but producer Manju bailed out the film's producer Rehman by taking on the responsibility of the release. He did so on the insistence of Ganesh and because he liked the script. So all that is history now."

He would rather recall the quality time he spent on the sets directing an actor like Ganesh. "Ganesh loved the story and thus contributed to its making at several stages. He improvised not just on dialogue delivery but also bettered the set compositions."

Would he not consider that interference? "I would look at his inputs as involvement. He is a director's actor and trusted me."

Maduve Mane is a story that develops during a train journey and ends at a marriage hall.

Not a Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge replica? "Not at all. This film tricks people into believing that the hero and heroine are in love. It is high on dialogues with Ganesh delivering a punch line at the beginning and end of every scene. The film is about a man with a positive ideology. I could say my lead character draws heavily from my own personality," says director Sunil Kumar Singh.

It is the same positive attitude that makes him feel that the audience will connect with the film and make it a hit. "The popularity of the songs is an indication. The songs Naxallite Nanalla... and Kanne Kudiruvaga Nee Nanne Nodiruvaga... are already hits," he says. The music is composed by Manikanth Kadri.

Will this marriage be a success? We'll know on Friday.