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Our industry needs a strong leader
Producer
Ramu is very keen on solving the problems faced by
the Kannada film industry. "The industry needs a leader with
guts. Ego problems that prevail in the industry should not be encouraged.
Also the functioning of the film chamber is not up to the mark.
What can we achieve from all this?" asked Ramu while speaking
on the sets of his latest film Bava Bamaidha at Nandigrama. With
a 15-year experience of distributing and producing of some of the
notable Kannada films, Ramu spoke elaborately on the present condition
of the Kannada film industry in an exclusive chat.
 What
is it that ails the Kannada film industry?
Lack of professional approach is solely responsible
for the bleak period of the Kannada film industry. The producers
are interested in overnight profits and less work. The guidelines
are not followed properly.
How
do you plan to resolve this? Do you have any suggestions?
I feel there is a grave need for a leader with extraordinary strength.
He should be of the stature of Dr. Rajkumar. Of course, we always
have had the support of Dr. Rajkumar during crisis. But I feel there
is a need for an unbiased person who knows all about the conditions
prevailing here and is able to lead the right path. He should be
strong enough to pass on the instructions and see to it that they
are carried off properly.
Who do you think is at fault about the prevailing condition?
The producers, of course. They don’t love their work passionately.
They talk much and work less. This is the case with most of the
Kannada film producers. If only half of their talk is put into practice,
the results would be wonderful. But if the producer himself is not
interested in shaping his product very well, how can we expect the
audience to throng the theatres? Commitment from the filmmaker’s
side is required.
Do you feel that the liking of the audience has changed?
Who does not shift his interests with the fast growing culture?
To be precise, the Kannada audiences are great. If a good film is
shown to them, they have taken it wholeheartedly. Even with bad
theatres and bad transport condition, they are coming to the theatres.
The recent mega hit of Yajamana is explanation enough. Good sound
system, parking facilities, air conditions in the theatres are not
available in most of the theatres but yet the audiences are coming.
At least for them, we have to make films seriously.
Don’t you think the lack of market and shoestring budget are
also responsible for this?
It is wrong to say that there is a lack of market for Kannada films.
We have many good films. Even remake films are running very well.
There are some straight subject films too, winning at the box office.
Actually, we should not put a limit to the budget.
This
may not be possible for all the producers.
If you sow, so shall you reap. Here too it is just like that. For
my films like Lock Up Death, Simhada Mari, AK47 and some others,
I employed the right tactics of publicity. We have to learn from
other language films. For this, I sit with the audience in the theatres
and get their response. Recently I sat with the audience and some
technicians to watch the Telugu film Narasimha Naidu starring Balakrishna
and I enjoyed some half a dozen thrilling scenes. I tell our directors
that we should go a step ahead of this.
Would you like to continue spending lavishly for films?
Yes. I always give the required strength to the film. I am now making
the biggest film ever made in Kannada titled Hollywood. I think
the budget for this may cross Rs.10 crores.
What is so special in Hollywood?
Just that 90 per cent of the film will be shot in the United States
of America. The launching of the film got delayed because of weather
problems. I have already spent Rs.1.5 crores on the pre-shooting.
Costumes worth Rs.4 lakhs made in Hyderabad are ready.
We had discussions
and story sittings for nearly eight months before we started work
on the film. Currently music composer Gurukiran is busy recording
songs at Hrudayainda DTS Studio.
Have you selected the locations for the entire film?
Upendra has already selected places like Los Angeles, Los Vegas,
New Jersey, Toronto, Canada, Niagara and some other places.
What are your other plans?
I am soon planning a film with Ravichandran titled Shakuni. Ravichandran
has written the story, screenplay, dialogues, and music. This is
besides acting and direction. After this I will be taking up Hoysala
starring Shivrajkumar. I am planning one with Arjun with a title
Ram. There is also in the pipeline a Vishnuvardhan starring film
and a film with full of new artists and technicians.
—Vashishta
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