Meet artiste-cum-producer R V Venkatappa, who claims to have come to Sandalwood with a mission of producing good entertainment films for family audience. Now he is all set to prove his mettle with the release of Ganga Kaveri on Friday. Apart from producing this film, Venkatappa has also played a small character of a retired doctor in it.
His tryst with Sandalwood began by acting in the film Obbariginta Obbaru more than a decade ago. He also acted in two tele serials — Unemployed Aliya and Devi Sridevi. Prior to this, he was working with the State Revenue Department. Ask him about what made him take voluntary retirement and enter the film industry, Venkatappa says, “I had a fascination towards Kannada films. I have nourished the ambition to produce a good Kannada film long ago. Now, I am very happy to realise my long-pending desire." What is special about Ganga Kaveri? “It is the first Kannada film to be shot in locations such as Gangothri and Lakshman Jula. I came to know that Bollywood veteran late Raj Kapoor was the only director to shoot his film Ram Teri Ganga Meili at Gangothri. The other added attractions are beautiful locations like MT Falls, Dehradun, Kulu Manali, Talacavery, Madalpet, Chalana Falls near Madikeri. All technicians have done a good job during the shooting at these locations,”explains Venkatappa.
Shooting at beautiful locations has become a common phenomena in Kannada film industry. So what is great about Ganga Kaveri being shot at such locations? “The speciality of our film is that its shooting was held in three seasons — summer, winter and monsoon — in such locations as per script’s requirement. My commitment and sincerity to shoot in three seasons had made me spend more money. Because of this, the film’s budget has increased considerably.
I might have cheated the audience by using technology instead of going to such locations in monsoon and winter. But my intention is to make good films sincerely,”says Venkatappa.
Did you introduce your son Akshay, just because he is your son or does he suit the script? “My intention was not to introduce him to films. Akshay has completed BE and wanted to go abroad. It was director Vishnukanth who selected him for the hero role and I had nothing to do with it,”narrates Venkatappa.
Are you happy with Akshay’s performance? “I am very happy as has acted well. He took the risk of jumping (with a rope) from 300 ft height into the flowing water at Kulu Manali.
I think he is the first artiste to take such a risk in Kannada film industry,” dds Venkatapa.
The film Ganga Kaveri which mounted the sets more than a year ago, has Ananth Nag, Roopa Devi, Mallika Kapur and Mayi in the star cast.
maheswarareddy@epmltd.com