The Nenapirali creator’s debut venture as a director earned him great recognition including state awards. It gave birth to a new star whose name translates to ‘do remember’ in Kannada, and he is still recognised after the movie title as Nenapirali Prem. The talented Ratnaja, who was missing in action for a while is back to normalcy — direction. His latest directorial — Preethiyalli Sahaja (It’s normal in love) is ready to hit the screens in November. He speaks to Bengaluru Chronicle about his upcoming film, and much more.
“More than romance, Preethiyalli Sahaja is a family drama talking about human values. Seniors actors — Suhasini Mani Ratnam and Devaraj play major roles in this film. It is all about love which is very common in everyone’s life but the way one would react to certain common incidents are always different. Though the title sounds light, the content has greater importance,” reveals Ratnaja who took a break from movies after his previous release Premism in 2010.
“After Premism, I took a break. I was feeling uneasy and hence returned to my native in Mandya and started dairy farming. I was happy as a farmer for almost two years but my passion for films drove me back to the industry. I have returned with newcomers (again) and with my own subject. Preethiyalli Sahaja has beautiful songs through which the film journeys with three different shades of love. I have always believed in working with talented newcomers rather than casting already settled personalities from the industry. So everytime, it’s an experiment, which might end up being a success or a failure. Those who invest in such projects have to have real passion for good films.”
His passion for films started early in his childhood, as he was usually involved in extra curricular activities in his school days — from acting, participating in debates or directing dramas. “Apart from that, I would watch almost every movie which was released next to my house in a tent owned by a close relative. I finished my graduation in mechanical engineering, but opted for films. I want to be known as a writer first, and then a director,” he adds.
After his debut film, he came back with Honganasu which earned him critical acclaim, but he feels it was a disaster in terms of its business at the box office. “Statistics sometimes go wrong. Though Honganasu was widely appreciated, it failed miserably, and surprisingly Premism made decent business running for several weeks in several theatres in northern parts of the state. I still strongly believe that unless there is real content to back a film, it cannot survive. I mind my own business unlike many who frequently visit Gandhinagar or take part in other activities of the industry which has also earned me an ‘outsider’ status,” he laughs.
Preethiyalli Sahaja is entirely shot outdoors in various parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and nature plays another important role in his grand return to normalcy!
