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I'm either too incommunicative or too lazy. Actually am both.
Finally am through with all work on KATHA, including publicity designs and TV promos. It was censored 10 days ago. No cuts, but was certified U/A for the moments of tension in the movie. I wonder if that has any bearing in the Indian context since I don't see children young enough to be scared going to movies without accompanying adults. It will be released on the 12th of December, unless the state bifurcation issue takes a turn for the worse.
Some journalists came up with the routine question when I was announcing the date - 'how has the movie turned out?' Can anyone answer this truthfully? If the movie is not up to the mark would I be stupid enough to admit it before release and dig my own grave? On the other hand, even if I'm truly pleased as Punch with my product, will I say so and risk being thought of as a braggart? Best to let the promos and posters raise whatever expectations they will and wait with bated breath for the 12th. One thing I will stick my neck out and say, KATHA will appeal to a wider audience then previous JY films; and it will not disappoint the small, soft-corner-for-JY band of audience.
“At last, the suspense is over. We’ll have a government that has one or two less rotten spots than the alternative. And I’m happy that Dr. JP has won. Echoing Neil Armstrong, he said it was a small step for Loksatta but a giant leap for clean politics. One seat may seem like un-noteworthy, but to achieve it against incredible odds is a feat. The opposition candidates spent a total of Rs. 40 crores in Kukatpally. Yet people decided to stick with the right candidate.
Yes Just Yellow designed the Loksatta campaign, all the ads except for that much appreciated 5 second ‘static interruption’ promo. That was sent to the Loksatta office by someone.”
Those lines were jotted down on 17th May, but not posted.
Now coming back to real time, ‘400 years later’, -- KATHA has kept me incommunicado these couple of months. We shot in Araku without a break for 18 days. Then back in Hyderabad got busy with the next schedule which again went non-stop for 15 days. Got a 3-day breather, hence this attempt to update you. We start shooting again tomorrow.
About the shooting, what’s there to tell you? That Genelia is an extremely gifted actress is not a state secret. Probably what is not known is that she is punctual to a fault. In fact she shamed the unit on half-a-dozen occasions by being at the location before everyone else, even the assistants and light boys.
Working with Shafi and of course, Prakash Raj, gives one a high. I think you will enjoy their performances as much as I did during the making. Raghu Babu, apart from making us laugh on and off the sets, had been very accommodating. As a rule he never shoots at night, but for us he shot through the night on two days without a murmur.
In this rule-breaking category is also Prakash Raj. He never shoots on a Sunday, even for his home production. He shot on two consecutive Sundays for KATHA. I think he is erasing my name from his book of friends and etching it strongly in his people-to-avoid list.
Well that’s it. Will be back next week. Ciao.
An apology and a Thanks
Sorry for the snail’s pace at which the site is being updated (is it being updated at all!) and the yawning gaps in my blogs. There are two reasons. One is my precious laziness. The other is, I’m genuinely over-worked on two fronts. Firstly, with the LOKSATTA PARTY campaign. Like most people, I too had a healthy disrespect for politics. But seeing a healthy alternative for once, I felt one should do one’s bit. Am creating TV spots and hoarding designs for the party.
The second reason is “KATHA,” the film we are starting this month-end. Busy writing the dialogue and doing sundry tasks in preparation for the shoot. This film is a romantic thriller with Genelia in the lead. The hero is a new comer, as is the Director and Music Director.
Now that the apologies are out of the way -- thanks! To Pivvish, Vikram, and Srilatha for the appreciation. Yes actors in serials are seen in movies frequently. In fact we picked up Monica after seeing her in “Chukkallo Chandrudu.”
I haven’t seen “Suicide Kings” to date, but three four people did mention it to me after watching “Aithe.” Therefore I can’t say how much resemblance is there. One thing I can vouch for is that there was not one mention of that movie throughout the 6 months it took to develop the script after Chandu (Yeleti) gave the concept. Probably I should watch it one of these days.
As for Raj’s confusion, it’s I who am confused. Who says people who want to make money have to give shoddy, unaesthetic products? An iPod looks beautiful, works like a dream, yet makes tons of money. There’s a long gap between movies because not too many stories give me the enthusiasm to make a film. As for not promoting my films well, you don’t say I deliberately sabotage them to avoid the danger of making money? Regarding the well-being of society, I’m about as concerned as the next man. But improving society is not the primary aim of either my films or life.
All these doubts are generated because we have been corrupted to think that money is evil and profit a dirty word. Relax, money is sweet, sexy and the life-blood of freedom! have fun.