With ghosts haunting the Sandalwood silver screen, comes a respite in this journey of life with a musical touch which marks the directorial debut of Apoorva Kasaravalli, son of renowned multiple national award-winning director Girish Kasaravalli. The journey is all the more noteworthy with experienced technicians such as Oscar-winning Resul Pookutty, Sitar maestro Neeladri Kumar, renowned actor Rahul Bose along with the pretty Aindrita Ray and the beautiful actor-turned-politician Bhavana coming together for this one. Bhavana, apart from acting, is also producing this venture. As the film is set for release, the two female characters and the director share their journey with Bengaluru Chronicle.
“Initially, we had no script but wanted to do a good film. Eventually, we came across several scripts and none satisfied our vision. Then, I asked a friend Vikram Hatwar, to come up with a story, and when we heard the synopsis, I was so impressed that we decided to approach Apoorva Kasaravalli to direct it. He liked the story too, and the journey started. It is a journey of four characters, and I play a housewife who is also a singer,” explains Bhavana.
She adds, “My character believes in relationships, and is very emotional. The story might relate to the present day woman, who believes in her strength. I am back to acting after a gap of two years and even producing it, and this has been a new experience for me. It demands greater responsibility, as actors don’t have to bear the burden of looking after other aspects of film making.”
The actor-producer feels that the Kannada film-going audience accepts different subjects, in fact she is planning a couple more projects soon. Insofar as casting Rahul Bose was concerned, the actor showed immense faith in Apoorva, and he was totally committed and even dubbed his own voice for the character, Bhavana discloses.
Aindrita Ray, who is busy shooting her second Bengali film Amar Apan Jayan, reveals that Niruttara was an incredible journey — shooting in various parts of the country in extreme conditions — the Thar Desert Rajasthan, Goa and Manali. “This is my first role in a multi-starrer. The film is more about exploring India than just shooting an amazing journey. Great sound engineering technicians like Resul made it even more special. We have done sync sound with body mics for the first time by recording voices with utmost perfection. The cinematography is excellent. I am extremely happy with this one, and working with Apoorva was another treat as I am a huge fan of his father’s work,” Aindrita adds.
Apoorva Kasaravalli says that, “Niruttara is a drama of relationships. A tale criss-crossing different lives and interconnected relationships. It’s an episodic catalogue into the lives of Pradeep, Hamsa, Achinth and Shravya, their jaded relationships and a journey across India as they delve into exotic locales, music, and try to understand and re-evaluate life and its paradoxes.” Hop on to this musical journey which starts this Friday.
