CHENNAI: Ahead of the Assembly elections in 2018, a movie based on the 20-month regime of JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister is all set to hit the silver screen.
The biopic, titled Bhoomi Putra, will release around Deepavali in November, as the poll battle in the state hots up.
Kumararaswamy, who recently ramped up the JD(S) social media wing to have a wider reach with the masses, is now drawing up a big plan to use the power of cinema to project himself as the hero who alone can redress the pains of the people and fulfil their aspirations. This will perhaps be the first film based on the life of a political leader.
Though the complete cast of the film is yet to be finalised, the muhurat of the movie is scheduled for May 8. The film will be directed by S Narayan, known for films like Shabdavedhi and Chandra Chakori.
The film is being produced by Prabhu Kumar, a ‘fan’ of Kumaraswamy. Both the producer and director are tightlipped about the budget for the movie. The two-and-half hour film will focus on projects and developmental activities taken up by the JD(S) leader in 2006-2007.
“When thinking about whom to cast as Kumaraswamy, the first actor who came to my mind was Arjun Sarja. His role in Mudalavan and the way in which he carried that character was in my mind. So I felt that he was apt to play Kumaraswamy’s role,” he said. The complete star cast will be revealed after May 10, he added.
“Initially, when I approached Kumaraswamy, he rejected the script as he felt it is not good to pat his own back. I could convince him only after many attempts,” Narayan said.
Sources in the Kannada film industry said the script was vetted by Kumaraswamy and his son Nikhil before it was approved for filming.