Chetan is picky about his films and moviegoers expect him to be so. Now he is gung-ho about ‘getting back’ to college life through his upcoming film Noorondu Nenapu directed by Kumaresh M.
Being a literary person, he is excited that it is a drama that draws from a novel set in the 80s. “We see the growth of a character, we witness a guy’s life and how he changes over the years and how this effects his friendships, love and family,” he says.
“Happiness comes with sorrow and there is drama in the movie, I am certain that it will affect the audience. All the characters especially the lead actor will be memorable.” he adds.
The film will appeal to youngsters because it a story set in college and older audiences can reminisce about the once golden days. How did Chetan, who has lived and studied in the US, connect to college life set in the 80s? “I came to India right after I completed my university education,” he says. “In some ways, my last 12 years have been an extension of my college life. I came back here to do research, study and understand society and myself. Everyday I experience something new. Born and raised in America, everything in India is interesting... whether it is the language or culture. My hair is greying, but I do feel young because I keep learning,” says Chetan.
The actor started his career in movies with a retro movie, Aa Dinagalu. That was about the underworld and gangsters. “This one is about college and romance in those days, it will connect to a larger audience,” he says.
This a multi-cast movie, how will the lead character be projected? “Every role in the film is different and has interesting characterisations, each one of them will stand out,” he says. “Each character helps the main character evolve. It is basically the story of one person and how other characters come into his life and change him,” he says.
It is produced by Suraj Desai, Manish Desai and 3 Lion Production. Noorondu Nenapu also features Meghana Raj, Raj Vardhan, Archana and Sushmita Joshi among others. The film has music by Gagan Baderiya and cinematography by SK Rao.
Chetan has bought the novel’s rights and is getting it translated into Kannada
While the filmmakers had bought the rights of the Marathi film Duniyadari and remade it in Kannada, Chetan has bought the rights of the Marathi novel written by the late Shri Suhas Shirvalkar. “Shirvalkar is no more and so I called up his wife through my literary contacts and I got the rights from her,” says the actor. “Veena Shanteshwara will be translating the novel into Kannada. We are trying to get the title Noorondu Nenapu for the novel as well. I want to give something back to literature, which is the right thing do do.”