The grandson of iconic composer and singer, GK Venkatesh is following his grandfather’s footsteps into Sandalwood! GK Venkatesh, who was known for his compositions in songs featuring thespian, the late Dr Rajkumar, and also for his talent in capturing the film’s essence in his songs, will most definitely be smiling in heaven.
The dashing Prithvi Nandan, who is well-versed in music, and can also play a few musical instruments, chose to concentrate on his studies and completed his engineering from RNS Institute of Technology first, before getting aboard the reel wagon.
A motorcycle enthusiast, Prithvi has a gang of bikers who frequently take adventure rides cruising from city to hinterland. However, Prithvi took a sudden turn in his career to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming an actor.
Speaking exclusively to Bengaluru Chronicle about his acting debut in Nanu Mathu Varalakshmi, a one-of-a-kind project, he says that according to director Preetham Gubbi, the films is the first motocross film in India.
“I am a biker, and along with friends we go on long drives on Sundays and even participate in a few competitions. Even my father was a bike enthusiast, who participated in dirt racing. I had just finished my engineering, and had even got admission for a master’s in the US. Harikrishna (the composer) felt that it was time for me enter Sandalwood as an actor. When Preetham Gubbi came up with a film based on motocross, my father was very impressed and I also decided to become an actor. I have always followed heroes like Challenging Star Darshan, Prabhas — all tall, dark and handsome, with such great acting abilities,” says Prithvi.
His debut film Nanu Mathu Varalakshmi features Prakash Rai, Madhoo of the Roja and Annaiah fame along with Sadhu Kokila and others in the lead. The film makers proclaim that it is going to be the first-ever film on motocross with real racing sequences involving professional racers revolving around a cute love story.
“It was an amazing experience shooting for the film. We created our own tracks to race with professional help from Vijay, who is a motocross champion. We also got imported sports bikes, and after months of hard work and preparation, I stared shooting. Professional racers from Sri Lanka, Dubai and other countries have raced in the film too. It is all for the love of racing,” he says.
Remembering his grandfather, an icon in the film industry, Prithvi says that almost all his songs are favourites — Adisinodu Nodu Bilisi Nodu and another from the Kasturi Nivasa film, and Bangarada Manushya.
“My family supported me a lot, especially my father who took more interest in my debut. Working with Preetham Gubbi was perfect, as he is a talented director and great for someone making his debut. He was very strict during the shoot but after pack-up, very friendly and made me learn, teaching me how to improve my skills.”
Prithvi is blessed to be working with senior actors Prakash Rai Sir, Madhoo, Sadhu, who he says helped him a lot too. During the shoot for a race sequence, he and the villain raced around the roads in Mysuru, and none of the onlookers had a clue that they were shooting for a film.
“Many shouted at us, cursing us for racing on the roads but the stunt choreographer Raviverma Sir insisted that we had to do it in real time, and hence I kept racing, despite people looking on!” he laughs.
