When soap queen, Ektaa Kapoor stuck to the ‘K’ word with a series of soaps - 'Kyuni Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki', 'Kkusum' and more, she let astrology and superstitions enter entertainment.
After her success, there were many to follow.
Bollywood also saw a lot of actors experimenting with their spelling. So, again we had Ektaa Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Suniel Shetty with the ‘never heard before’ spellings.
Numbers too play its game. Every car that Shah Rukh Khan owns has the number 555 printed on its number plate.
So when it comes to the Kannada film fraternity, why should superstition be different? Whether it is the time of muhurath or the release date, there is a magical belief of producers, directors, actors and actresses that dictates their lives in the tinsel town.
Apparently producers and directors are some of the most superstitious people of all time in terms of selecting a good date for the film, giving advance to actors and deciding the timing for the first shot.
Among the producers, it is rumoured that Rockline Venkatesh, who is a staunch believer of god, makes sure that he gets the pooja done for his scripts, which he conducts at a particular Ganapathy temple on West of Chord Road.
Senior actor Jaggesh, who has now turned director, is an ardent devotee of lord Raghavendra. The actor turned director recently did his first shot in front of Raghavendra Swamy temple in Mantralaya.
Sandalwood too has obsession with numbers.
Actor Darshan always prefers the number 171 or number 74449, which he considers lucky and uses in almost all his films.
Though Puneeth Rajkumar doesn’t get deep into these beliefs, the number 9 has been a favourite in their family for many years.
Actress Sharmila agrees that she is a little superstitious. She says, “I don’t like to start any good work during rahu kala. I do have my own favourite colours and try not to wear dark colours during the day time. Number 1 has always been lucky for me,” she says.
Well-known director and producer, Dinakar stops eating non-vegetarian and rice items when he starts his film.
“When I started my first film, Jothe Jotheyalli, my mother told me that I should leave something, which I like the most. Since I loved non-vegetarian food and rice, I stopped eating them from the muhurath till the film released. The film was a super duper hit. From then on I am following it for every film of mine. In fact, 'Sarathi' took one-and-a-half years to complete but I made sure I don’t touch non-vegetarian or rice during the whole period. I am following it now as I am shooting for my next film, 'Bulbul',” he said.
The industry is also of the belief that shooting at certain places brings them luck.
Out of 155 films, most of Rajinikanth’s films have been shot in and around Mysore. Mahadevapura (15 to 20 kilometers from Mysore) stretch is considered to be a lucky spot by Kannada and Tamil industry. Most of the village songs are shot here including Ravichandran’s Halli Mestre and Ramachari.
Though young actors and actresses are not superstitious, they do believe is some lucky charm. Ajai Rao is a strong believer of god but doesn’t keep a track of good and bad times.
“My lucky charm is my mother and I make sure that she is present on the day of the muhurath. I don’t consider it to be superstitious, but I feel lucky,” he said.
Though actress Ragini Dwivedi is not quite superstitious, she listens to her mother.
“I am god fearing. Whenever my mother wants me to get some puja done, I make sure I participate. A Ganapathi idol always accompany me wherever I go. Hanuman chalisa also gives me strength during tough times.” she says.
The most sought-after actress in Kannada industry, Radhika Pandit believes in being positive.
“There are good and bad days and I don’t want to attribute anything completely to luck,” she says.
Senior actress Tara, who is now the president of Karantaka Chalana Chitra Academy visits various temples but does not have any superstitious belief.
“Usually I don’t step out during rahu kala. I generally get a lot of pujas done at home. Numerology and astrology don't interest me. But I believe in God,” she says.
Another Sandalwood actress, Nidhi Subaiah who has raised a bar for herself by stepping into Bollywood is not superstitious, but believes in destiny.
“You will never see me wearing any bracelets or lucky stones. I believe the proverb, ‘Work is worship’ and definitely, destiny plays an important role in my life,” she says.
For director, Yograj Bhat, the reverse happened.
A few years ago, an astrologer had predicted that there will be a difficult time in his career. But it was exactly opposite for the director as he went on to give blockbuster hits like 'Mungaru Male', 'Gaalipata', 'Manasaare' and 'Pancharangi'.
Director of the film 'Dirty Picture - Silk Sakkath Maga', Trishul has built a temple on the outskirts of Bangalore but doesn’t believe in rahu kala or muhurath dates.
He says, “I had a dream that I should install a shaniswara statue and own an orphanage, which is now getting built. I don’t believe in good and bad dates.” But, he does have a superstitious belief. “I have experienced it at least ten times. Whenever a cat comes my way, I do not complete the set task or that day turns out to be a bad one. So I make sure that whenever a cat crosses the road, I allow other vehicles to pass before I move ahead. If the work is very important, I allow three vehicles to go by after which I start again,” he added.
Producer Munirathna, actor and filmmaker Dwarkish, director Omprakash and Jayamala have strong belief in god, but not superstition.
Shivarajkumar’s magnum opus 'Shiva', directed by Omprakash Rao has create d a Dasara theme as the film releases on August 24. Producer Shrikanth along with Shivarajkumar’s Fans Associations are doing an abhisheka (offering milk) to lord Shiva's idol.
WHAT DO OUR ‘STARS’ BELIEVE IN?
** 9 has been the favourite number for Puneeth Rajkumar's family
** Actress Sharmila does not go out or start good work during rahu kala. Number 1 is her lucky number and she avoids dark shades during day time
** Ragini Dwivedi carries Ganapathi idol where ever she goes and recites Hanuman chalisa every day
** Most of Superstar Rajinikanth’s film shoot or scenes have been shot in and around Mysore as there is a belief that the place brings luck
** Actor Ajai Rao’s feels when his mother is present on the day of the muhurath of his film, his movies will fare well.