BANGALORE: Not long ago, debut director K S Ashok took the Kannada industry by storm with the film 6-5=2 that released in 2013. The found footage film that created a sensation here will soon have the dubbed version released in Telugu and Tamil, while its remake in Hindi is now in the post-production stage. “I don’t have control over the Hindi remake as I have sold the full rights. Currently, I am waiting for my film to be released in two other languages,” says Ashok.
The success of 6-5=2 in Kannada happened without any promotional activities, just with posters put up across the city before the release. The film that was made with a budget of `35 lakh made a business of approximately `5.5 crore and audiences kept raving about the director who shied away from publicity. “I don’t want success to get to my head. You tend to work doubly hard only in fear of failure. I try to maintain distance when I am writing to avoid diversions,” he says.
While the director is still making news for his debut, he is getting ready with his next subject, which will be a love story. “I am working on the script, which is done till the interval. Once I am done with this, I will sit with the pre-production work that will start in August,” reveals Ashok, who admits that his second film will be cliche and will only work with good screenplay and a cinematic touch. “It will be on high on investment compared to my first film. As of now, my intention is to get 90 per cent of my work done on paper and then take the next step. Though I am one film old, I understand that any director should take at least six months to write and take off only when they are satisfied. Today, a few directors who took their time to put pen on paper have done a neat job on screen and I would like to follow them,” he says.
As Ashok writes the story, a few actors’ faces seem to appear in front of him in terms of physique, body language and style. “This time, I have a few references while I am on the job. I want somebody like Allu Arjun in Kannada who can completely entertain the audience. I have a few stars in mind, but I am also looking for a good newcomer who can be different,” he says.
The director is also happy that a couple of actors from the movie have gained popularity and are now busy in the industry. “The famous tigne (Kumar) is into acting and Naveen Raj is now working as an editor in Shashank’s Krishna Leela. Another girl who was part of my movie is working in small screen. It is always good news when your work takes you places,” he says.
His passion towards filmmaking extends to his leisure time too, as he watches different kinds of films made across the globe. “I am a movie addict,” he says.
