BANGALORE: He robbed all hearts with his character of the ailing keyboardist Rob in last year’s blockbuster Rock On! Luke Kenny, who has been a VJ and music programmer in the youth-oriented television channel (Channel V) became a househld name with the movie. And now, he is back in the buzz. No, it’s not for his an acting stint this time, but for his behind-the-screen performance.
His directorial debut, 13th Floor is being screened in five cities, including Bangalore, across the country, and will premiere worldwide on television this weekend. “It is an experimental film,” the director says about his 80-minute film.
Why did he choose an experimental film for his filmmaking debut? “It was an outcome of an urge to make films.
I liked my writer J Singh’s idea and was passionate about recreating it.
Since it was our first venture, we had to think of the financial constraint.
We couldn’t wait for the commercial producers’ nod. Had we waited, we would still be waiting I believe! 13th Floor was shot in a limited time and cost, perfect for the start,” says Luke, who has also produced it.
Though the Kenny Films Pvt Ltd film was released in 2006, the director is upbeat about its second running.
“It’s getting a second lease of release and a new set of audience, “ he says.
Any plan for a re-release in the multiplexes considering the film will find a good share of audience there? “Oh! It will will be a different ball game. With exhibitors and distributors talks, it will be too taxing. And television is a more accessible medium, people can watch it at their comfort,” Luke says.
Since the film has already been screened at various international film festivals like Tromafling International Film Festival (Edinburgh 2005), Temecula International Film Festival (California 2005), Sports Movies TV India International Film Festival (2006), International Film Festival of India (2006), Cape Town Bollywood Film Festival (South Africa 2007), and the audience’s mindset is changing, we hope that this film will get a positive response.
Purab Kohli, the lead actor in the film, and Luke go back a long way. We have seen them share screen space in Rock On! but their association goes back to their VJing days and the director is all praise about his actor. “He is an amazing actor. He knows the nuances of the acting medium very well.
He is a director’s actor and he is also a friend. Working with him is a pleasure,” says Kenny.
“It was my first encounter with Sandhya Mridul,” he says, about Purab’s co-star in the film. “She is a fantastic actor and has done justice to her role”, he adds.
From choreography to theatre, DJing to VJing, acting to direction, Kenny has done it all with the utmost passion. Of this, the multi-talented man says, “It’s been quite a challenging experience and yeah, very, very exciting. It’s a wonderful thing to do what you thought you never could do.
I am glad I did so many things.” Any new projects in offing? There are quite a few offers for B-town acting in the pipeline, but it’s too early to disclose, says this multi-faceted man. “I also hope to make some more films. I am going through a few scripts now. I hope they materialise.”
poonamb@epmltd.com