I did Mukunda Murari with an L-Board: Jaya Sridevi

Digitisation was new to long-time producer Jaya Sridevi. She thanks Upendra and Sudeep, in particular, for agreeing to be a part of the film
Jaya  Sridevi
Jaya Sridevi

Jaya Sridevi is probably one of few women producers who has made an impact in south Indian film industry. Her films such as Devarau Varavanu Kotre, Sri Manjunatha, Vandematram, Sri Renuka Devi, Kona Eedaite or Navashakti Vaibhava indicate her leaning towards devotional, mythological and  films based on social issue. Mukunda Murari would’ve, therefore, been a natural choice.

Upendra
Upendra

The film is inspired by the Hindi Oh My God starring Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal.

City Express speaks to the senior producer, who is making a comeback in Kannada, after a seven-year gap. “In between, I did a couple of Telugu films,” she says. “One film Jagadguru Adi Shankara, made in three languages,  took almost three years to complete because it had plenty of graphics. I was also waiting for a good subject. Mukunda Murari’s content won me over and I chose do it in Kannada,” she says.

Unlike Jaya Sridevi's previous projects,  Mukunda Murari  has her associating with producer MN Kumar. “This is the first time I am joining hands with another producer and it has helped us to bring out a good product. While I took care of the production, MN Kumar is handling the film’s release. That way, I could devote all my time for it, which was not the case in my previous films,” says Jaya Sridevi.

Filmmaking technologies have changed from her last stint. “My last film was with a negative,” she says, “and this film is digitised... I went with an L Board (meaning the board new motorists use) to the sets. Though I knew all the artistes and technicians, the technicalities were very new to me. I learnt a lot during the shoot,” she says.
Jaya Sridevi says that the ethics of the art remain the same. “I have never asked the filmmakers how much money will be needed,” she says, “my question usually is ‘Why so much money is needed and whether it is necessary”.’

She adds that she realised the importance of visiting the sets with this film. “Earlier, I would only invest in the movie. From now on, I will not limit my responsibilities to being just a producer and but will look into every aspect of filmmaking,” she says.

Jaya Sridevi says that Nanda Kishore is a good director and knows how to present a subject, keeping the local flavour. But her special thanks goes to Sudeep and Upendra, who managed to give her dates despite their busy calendars. “I always wanted to bring many stars into a film and I feel proud to have brought both excellent actors on screen. Both liked the subject and felt they could do justice to their respective characters. Even though both had a line of producers waiting to get dates from them, they immediately agreed to give dates for me, and all was done out of respect. I should be grateful,” says the producer.

The producer  is now working to get two other big stars together for her next project, but she says she will focus on that only after the release. “I will first complete my responsibilities with Mukunda Murari and then think of my next film,” she says.

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