Just like the old proverb ‘old is gold’, some things in life never fade — be it good memories, songs, movies and even the fashion of a bygone era. They just keep coming back with newer and snazzier versions that complement the current fad. Classic movies remind the movie watcher of the best from the past, and some filmmakers prefer to recreate this with subjects inspired by the past. Sandalwood is currently in love with nostalgia with films set in the late 30s to 80s being released. Films like Aa Dinagalu and Abhinetri, including some latest releases like Allama, Chakravarthy, Raaga and upcoming ventures like Noorondu Nenapu directed by Loknath (which is entirely set in the 1980s) is evidence enough that Sandalwood likes to trod down memory lane. Bengaluru Chronicle reports on the “retromania.”
For Allama, the noted veteran director TS Nagabharana, created a 12th century set, to depict the life of the mystic saint and poet Sri Allama Prabhu. Eventually, the film won two national awards including best make-up. After watching Challenging Star Darshan, Deepa Sannidhi and others in Chakravarthy set in late 1970s and early 80s, which was all about the beginning days of the Bengaluru underworld, the director recreated how Bengaluru was in those days — be it fashion, locations to cars and other minute details in this blind love story that was ironically set in the past. Incidentally, Darshan’s next magnum opus Kurukshetra is based on mythological characters from the epic Mahabharatha and it will be recreated in a mythological world.
Period films are always a challenge, and one such films which is completely set in the past is Noorondu Nenapu directed by Loknath featuring the Aa Dinagalu fame actor Chetan and Meghana Raj of the Allama fame. “Setting up an 80s atmosphere for Noorondu Nenapu was because it is based on a Marathi novel. Earlier the novel was also made into a film Duniyadari which was again set in 1980s. It’s interesting to note that the 80s reign supreme in the film. We also wanted to make the audience feel how the 80s was — the real fashion of college students back then,” says director Loknath, who feels that even after decades, some things never change in the life of students and colleges, be it friendships, love stories, fights, gang wars, etc.
Recreating the late 80s, the filmmaker shares was not an easy task, “We had several preparations before the shoot prior to a long pre-production from the direction team. The producer Suraj Desai supported these intrinsic arrangements. We also had to cheat at many locations, the magic was created by cinematographer SK Rao, and we had a great support in costume designer Katyaini Nayak, who researched into the costumes of the 80s which was an added advantage.” Veteran critic Subramanya feels that in order to recreate a specific time, research and time is crucial. “Everything cannot be recreated using technology. The art director, costumes, music, dialogues and camera work is a prominent part, and the most challenging,” he feels.
