The actor-director Rakshit Shetty has an ace up his sleeve for his debut production Kirik Party, made under Paramvah Studios’ banner.
The supporting cast for the Party is entirely made up of short film makers, writers, dialogue writers and technicians -- mostly the heroes working behind the scenes. The only familiar face is Pramod Shetty.
While the film, directed by Rishab Shetty, gears up for a December 15 release, City Express introduces the sidekicks who were selected after auditions. Aravind Iyer, Ashwin Rao Paliki, Sankar Murthy, Dananjay Ranjan, Chandan and Giri Krishna share they experience of working in Kirik Party and with Rakshit and team.
Aravind Iyer
I started my debut with Kahi, in which I played a small character. For Kirik Party, I was called just the day before the shoot and I am glad they chose me. Kirik Party is a comedy that is inspired by real-life incidents. The shooting process was fun because it is centered around college life. It was all the more enjoyable because we got to go to college without having to attend classes. Rakshit is a thorough professional who did not let the pressure get to us, on the sets.
Ashwin rao pallaki
Rakshit picked me after watching my short film, Refill, a film directed by cinematographer Abhishek Kasargod. Shooting for Kirik Party was an amazing experience, once I got over the initial fear. Everything fell into place within two or three days and we all got along as though we’ve known each other since childhood. This camraderie helped bring out the best for the movie too. The last day of the shoot was like the last day of college. The shooting was 72-days long, but the last one hour was emotional and I knew that I would miss the fun.
Shankar murthy
I was selected through an audition. I have been doing short films so I didn’t fear the camera, though the being part of a long feature film was a whole different experience. I learnt a lot about filmmaking. I have always been a big fan of Rakshit’s Ulidavara Kandante, and sharing screen space with him was unexpected and exciting. We actually lived as students, among the (real) students, during our shoot at Malnad College. Kirik Party was all mischief and enjoyment, which any college goer can relate to.
Dhananjay ranjan
I had gone as a writer, to Kirik Party, and even helped pen dialogues and songs. Rishab Shetty suggested that I do a role, so I auditioned for it and bagged it. In, Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu, I wrote songs. I wrote the screenplay for Rama Rama Re, and dialogues and songs for Akira. Kirik Party is my third film as an actor. College was seven years ago, so it was a good trip back in time. Writing a story is very different from playing a character. Rakshit has a eye for picking talent and he, as an actor-director, believes that the a story is the hero of the film.
Giri krishna
I was selected based on my performance in the short film Refill. I was also part of films such as Madamakki, Love in Mandya, Edegarika, and Kariya Kanna Bitta. This is definitely a different experience. I have always directed short films and acted in them, so I was happy to be part of a feature film. But I came to know aboutmy character only after the first schedule. Till then, I only knew I was part of the film and kept thinking that I play a junior artistes. Later, I realised the importance of my character.
Chandan
I am basically from theatre and have trained under Ninasam. I have even worked with Mandya Ramesh and B Suresh. I always had a passion towards films and I got this movie. It was an amazing experience. I have been part of short films and worked as an amateur, but the mainstream movie helped me be more professional and brought me into the limelight. People such as Rakshit, Rishab, cinematographer Karm Chawla and music director Ajaneesh Loknath are young at heart. They care only about cinema, I am with the right people and at the right time.