Having been part of couple of remakes (Kempe Gowda, Varadanayaka and Bangalore 560023 which is under production), actor Jayaram Karthik aka JK, got his big break with Just Love last year. But after that there was a hiatus, which according to the actor was deliberate. Taking time to dedicate himself to Chandrika, a horror-thriller made in Kannada and Telugu, Karthik vouches about the grandeur of the movie.
“There is a definite element of magnificence in most sequences, especially the songs. Another interesting element is Chinni Prakash’s choreography for a romantic number,” he says.
The film is the actor’s first outing in the horror genre. “After the horror film experience, I felt that it was quite easy to play a normal character. In Chandrika, expressions have to be sudden and the impression of shock on your face has to be unanticipated, which makes it even more challenging. It becomes more testing when giving the reaction in front of the camera. So much so that I even requested the director to shout during the shot so that I could get that surprise on my face,” he explains.
The film is releasing in Telugu and will mark the actor’s entry into Tollywood. “Telugu audiences are more attuned to entertainment, songs and good picturisation, which is justified in this film. And since this is my first film in Telugu, the makers have projected me as a mature actor,” he says and adds that the film was made in two languages and not dubbed in Telugu.
Making a special mention of his co-star, Karthik says, “Sree Mukhi’s had to shoot for a dance sequence involving colours. She was so involved in the character that she never stopped her act even after the director said ‘cut’. Watching her inspired others on the sets.”
While he agrees that acting for a horror film is indeed a challenge, the effectiveness of genre films can come out better only if the re-recording is extraordinary. “When it comes to horror, most of the credit goes to technicians. The fear factor is evident only when the re-recording is perfect, which takes the film to a different level. And though the perception is that the lead actors have less to do in a horror flick, the director utilised us effectively,” he says.
Karthik has already completed another horror movie, Mattome Shhh, directed by Hemanth Hegde, which also sees Vijay Surya and Samyuktha Hornad. He also has four more films including one in Tamil and is now waiting to watch Chandrika’s response.
Chandrika is directed by Yogesh and produced by Asha. Cinematography is by Rajendra Babu with music by Gunawanth. The film’s cast include Kamna Jethmalani along with Shree Mukhi, Girish Karnad, Chikkanna and others.