Interview with Nagatihalli Chandrashekar

An interview with writer and film maker Nagathihalli Chandrasekhar on May 15
Writer-director Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar called a press meeting at the Patrika Bhawan on the eve of public release of his Kannada film “Nooru Janumaku” on May 15. Speaking to the press persons, he told that Mangalore was a place close to his heart, and whenever the opportunity arose, he would contrive to come to the coastal region and the port city for filming shots. The latest by him was due for release on May 21, he added. “Nooru Janmaku” will be shown at the Central talkies soon.Nagathihalli has written and directed this latest creation in Kannada. There are two main hero roles and the lone heroine is Indrita Ray. Santhosh and Adarsha Balakrishna are in the lead roles. Supporting roles are played by Bhavya, Sharan, Bank Janardana, Comedian Karibasaviah, Mandya Ramesh, Manasa and Veena Bhat among others. Manomurthy has given the Music, Art by Shashidhar Adappa, Cinematography from Santhosh Rai Panaje, editing handled by Basavaraj Urs and production is undertaken by Vinay Lad. The director NC met Mega Media News for an interview and answered the questions as follows:
MM News: How did you pick up the Hero?NC: I have many disciples. One of them was Santhosh, who had asked for main role. His devotion and luck have led him to that position after 5 years of steady work.
Q: How much time you took for filming?A: Just 12 months, that includes shooting, editing, dubbing and other activities.
Q: What was the purpose in naming of film that way?A: The line is derived from a lyric used in my early film, “America-America”. The importance given to love in the film is indicated in the title.
Q: Any reasons for rejecting Kannada films by viewers, of late?A: The local film industry is responsible for the flops in Kannada, since new types of stories and filming versions are absent. The old order continues to bore people.
Q: Where have you done the shooting of this film? A: Well, the outdoor shooting was done in China, Hong Kong city, Pacific Ocean Cruise, Macao in Asia. This is about 40% outside the country. Rest was done in India.
Q: Any message in the new film?A: The hero is a technician, builder. After his architectural studies as engineer, he makes a choice for himself. That is revealed in the film.
Q: How much was the production cost?A: About Rs.3.80 crores, I would say.
Q: Lastly, was it true that the heroine suffered some ill-treatment?A: Ahm, er, the heroine was not prompt during shooting schedules. So I had to slap her once. She made a big fuss of it in the media circles. Several people know me well during my long film life. But some others who did not understand me, tried to fish in troubled waters. Later everything was put in place to make the film a good product.