BANGALORE: Not many heroines who make a comeback for a second innings succeed, especially when the film industry here has begun worshipping youth in right earnest, just as in the West. Sudha Rani is one exception to this, one who has also steered clear of maternal, wishy washy roles.
In fact, her refusal to act as Puneet Rajkumar’s mother in a film has given her a distinct identity in the industry, and notched up her respectability a little more.
If her presence at the muharat of Idu Chakravyuha lent glamour to the occasion, the double whammy in store was the introduction of her little daughter, Nidhi, to the silver screen, through the film. “For once, there is scope for acting,” said the well-groomed star of her role in Idu Chakravyuha.
Inspired by a Hollywood film, Cellular, and captained by firsttime director Youvvi, Sudha Rani has a central role in the film, where the drama begins when she is kidnapped.
It was in 1986 that Sudha Rani took a bow in Kannada films, with Anand, opposite Shivarajkumar.
She was 13 then, but daughter Nidhi, at seven, has outdone her. The passing of the years has only aided Sudha Rani’s acting skills and her sophisticated appearance, while she still looks much the same. Shashikumar is paired opposite her in this film, produced by T Janardhan, under whom Youvi has worked as assistant director. Rangayana Raghu takes care of the comedy. The cameraman is Anand Prabhu, who has worked in several Hindi films including Dum and Khel.
The film also boasts of two new female leads — Sandhya and Barkha -- while Dharma Kirthiraj, whose debut film, Navagraha, had girls swooning over his chocolate boy looks, is the hero “who changes from a happy-go-lucky boy into a serious character once he gets involved in the rescue operation after the kidnapping incident”, in his own words. Dharma, unlike his father, Kirthiraj, who is one of the “most-wanted” screen villains, exudes an appealing innocence suited for such roles. Ravishankar is the music composer for the film which will be shot in the city.