GANDHINAGAR:While Krishna Leela is raking in the moolah at the box office, life hasn’t changed much for Harish and Divya, the couple whose lives the movie is based on.
Directed by Shashank and starring Ajai Rao, Mayuri and Rangayana Raghu, the Kannada flick narrates a bizarre story in which a missed call given by a middle-class girl changes the lives of two people.
City Express tracked down the real-life protagonists of the story and spoke to them about their missed call story.
In 2010, 18-year-old Divya gave a missed call to a random phone number, hoping that they would call her back. She thought if she could get them to recharge her account, she could start using her phone. And Harish, a car driver, turned out to be the one she called.
The call initiated a conversation between the two and a friendship blossomed. However, when Divya’s father found out about her activities, she had to leave home.
Things got ugly when the police tracked down Harish, and the couple had to get married at Circle Maramma Temple. Police Inspector Krishnappa was the one who suggested that they do this, as Divya was scared that her father would take her back home.
Meet the real Krishna-Leela
“I still can’t believe a film was made based on my life,” says Harish, who was initially upset over the invasion of privacy.
“The memory of the things that happened back then still hurts me. In fact, I did not step out of my house for three days after we got married. I had to go to the police station and it was all over the media,” he says.
However, upon being convinced by his brother-in-law, he watched the film and he liked it. “Director Shashank has shown the situation in the right light and given a good message to the public. I recommend the film to every youngster,” he says.
Divya, who now works as an accountant in a garment factory, says, “It was my idea to give the missed call as I could not afford to recharge my phone. But in hindsight, I am glad it helped me meet Harish. Even if my parents had looked for a suitor for me, they wouldn’t have found someone like him. However, I advise girls to be careful while making decisions that may affect other people.”
Harish is yet to visit Divya’s parents, but they have now accepted their marriage. “In the beginning, my mother supported my decision but my father did not. Now, he is happy that I am doing well. Inspector Krishnappa was the one who stood by me through the tough times. He will remain my godfather,” says Divya.
Ajai Rao, who turned producer with this film, has come forward to help the couple financially.
Shashank adds, “Ever since I started working on the film, I was looking forward to meeting Harish and Divya. They are the new addition to the Krishna Leela family.”