When he was young, Manju Mandavya would stand on the curb and applaud in awe as his hero passed by. He has also enacted some of the star’s scenes in college days. Now, after many years of struggle and succeeding in dialogue writing, Manju, who turned director with Yash-starrer Masterpiece, will direct the same hero, Upendra. To his surprise, the project will be Upendra’s 50th film. “It is a fan’s dream come true,” says Manju.
Recalling his younger days, the director shares that he used to enact scenes from Uppi’s films and tells City Express, “I am a big fan of his direction and enjoy his dialogues, and style of narration and filmmaking. He has, in more than one way, inspired me to be part of the film industry. I have followed almost all his works and he has been my mentor.”
According to Manju, although it is tough to convince Upendra with a script, he is one among the most dazzling and gloriously focussed actor-directors of today. “This film will mirror Uppi’s directorial style. Since I have followed his every film, I know that he cannot be shown only as a commercial hero. It has to include a certain charisma, style and suspense, all that are usually part of his films. I believe that it is an apt subject to mark his half century,” he says and informs that Uppi’s Dr Modi by Udaya Prakash will be his 48th film after which he will take up another project before he joins Manju. “My film will go on floors sometime during March, next year,” he says.
Manju is now readying the screenplay and dialogues, and is preparing for the film. “Not every fan gets an opportunity to direct his hero. It is something to be celebrated and I will work hard to make it a memorable film for Upendra and myself,” he says.