Ranna was indeed a test for director Nanda Kishore. He faced many problems disguised as brilliant opportunities, but he did reinstate the belief that some men can stare at defeat and win. The film is a success, crossing a collection of Rs 20 crore gross as it heads towards 25 days. While the director makes no tall claims and states that the success was because of the lead actor Sudeep, he has embarked on another journey with a lesser known actor. A risk that he says ,will pay off because of his trust in his instinct and in talent.
Nanda Kishore has roped in Pradeep, a young aspirant who played significant parts in films like Parodi, Ramya Rakshita, Jolly Days, Kempe Gowda, Chingari and Rangan Style.
His yet-to-be-titled film produced by Pradeep’s father-in-law K Shivaram had its muhurath recently and the director is busy composing music with Arjun Janya. “Except for Arjun Janya, the same technical team who worked in Ranna is part of this film,” says Kishore.
While Nanda Kishore has directed actor Sharan in two films and Sudeep in Ranna, he feels that he can confidently deal with a new lead. “Pradeep is no stranger to me. I met him off-screen at the Celebrity Cricket League matches and at various other occasions. Knowing him for around four years, I have gauged his plus and minus points. He is now learning stunts and some dancing skills. Secondly, it was a commitment made before I started my second film Adyaksha. So I will cast him and I guess, keep my promise,” says Kishore.
Squashing the Rumour
It was rumoured that after Ranna, Nanda Kishore will be directing Sudeep in another film which will also see Ravichandran in the cast. But the director clarifies, “I have not heard anything from Sudeep as yet. I will be lucky to work with him again. But with both of us having prior commitments, I don’t think it will be possible very soon. Right now, after Pradeep, I have a project with Srimurali, after which I have a film with Puneeth Rajkumar.”
