Director A Harsha is back in the limelight with his film Bhajarangi, starring Shivarajkumar, Aindrita Ray and Rukmini, which will have a mega release across 200 theatres in Karnataka. As the countdown begins for D-day, we hear that the morning show at Triveni has already been sold out. “I just came back from Chennai and I am trying to get tickets for my own family members to watch the film. But I heard it has been sold out. I hope to get a few somehow. That people are flocking to the theatres is a cause of great excitement for me and an extraordinary achievement, but as a director, audience reports matter and that is what I am looking forward to,” he says.
Like every film crew nowadays, Harsha too is on a promotion spree, of a different kind. “We never created any hype about our movie, nor did the hero Shivanna or the heroine Aindrita. Our posters, trailers and audio did the talking most of the times. I guess I have to credit that to the audience. They have liked my presentation in the teasers and posters and I pray to God that they are not disappointed after watching the film,” says Harsha.
For the director, the most thrilling part of making this film is being able to convince Shivanna with the script, build a six-pack ab and don different character shades in the movie. “He has given me everything.
In fact, he has delivered more than what we expected. This movie is different for him as the characters he has played in it are unique to him,” says Harsha, who himself gained a lot of experience while making Bhajarangi. “I am satisfied with the film and I would like to work with Shivanna once again,” he reveals.
Harsha’s personal perspectives influenced Bhajarangi. “Fantasy films have always inspired me and I always touch upon a historical incident. One can see a lot of this in Bhajarangi, which is an action-oriented fantasy film that talks about devotion to lord Bajarangibali,” he says.
We will soon know if choreographer-turned-director Harsha has hit the right chords for his fantasy movie.
Expectations are frightening
This hype around Bhajarangi is frankly frightening but the film is an honest attempt by director Harsha. It starts with humour and takes a twist in the second half with some black magic, which is interesting. It is like a Robin Hood-type of fantasy that Harsha has packaged for the audience.
— Shivarajkumar, actor
