Cinematographer-cumproducer Anaji Nagaraj is set to create an unprecedented record during the Diamond Jubilee Year of Sandalwood.
He is busy making preparations for his latest film Sugreeva, which he expects to complete in 18 hours. As per his plan, the shooting is schedule to commence at 6 am on October 11 and end by midnight on October 11 itself. “I was mulling to make a Kannada film in 18 hours for quite a long time. It took me eight months to prepare this script,’’ Anaji said.
Prashanth, who had directed Malayalam film Bhagawan in 19 hours, makes his debut in Kannada filmdom with Sugreeva in which Shivarajkumar and Yagna Shetty will act as the lead pair.
According to Anaji, Prashanth will be assisted by 10 Kannada directors — Om Prakash Rao, PN Sathya, Naga Sekhar, Pramod Chakravarthy, Ananthu, Viji, Raghava Loki, AP Arjun, Pandu, Tushar Ranganath. “All the artistes will be taken to the spot two to three hours before the shoot, ’’ Anaji said.
Art director Ismail has been assigned to erect a special set at private hospital on Mysore Road. “Eight more sets will be set up at the location to ensure the shoot completes in 18 hours. We are using two Jimmy Jib, three steady cameras and one Mano crane. Apart from this, we are using 12 Aeri-3 cameras,’’ the producer declared.
Ten make up men, 10 costumers, 30 assistant directors, 6 still photographers, 10 production managers, 40 camera assistants, 60 production assistants, 120 light assistants, 20 art assistants, 30 set assistants, one stunt master, 80 stuntmen, one choreographer and 600 junior artistes are expected to take part in the shooting. “The screening duration of Sugreeva will be 2.15 hours. It will have all the ingredients that is needed to keep the audience engrossed, ’’ he added.
Guru Kiran is composing the music for the film while Ram Narayan has penned a song and the dialogues.
maheswarareddy@epmltd.com