Saravanan on Puneeth's Chakravyuha

Four-films-old director Saravanan's first Kannada film is on its way to the censors.

When Kollywood director Saravanan contemplated after being offered to direct Puneeth Rajkumar-starrer Chakravyuha, he reverently associated his thoughts on sticking to pure creative pursuits rather than setting lofty aspiration, considering the grandeur of the venture. A debut foray in Sandalwood for the four -film-old director, he has completed the project and set an example that it is not about the language but the creative content that makes it universal.

In a candid chat with City Express, he shares his excitement of working with a star, which also happens to be his first big budget film, produced by NK Lohith. “I have this different feeling as my first Kannada directorial gets closer to release date. Moreover, working with Puneeth, I am curious to know how his fans will receive the film,” he says and adds that the pressure is more because of the buzz which has already been created Moreover, for the film has Junior NTR and Kajal Aggarwal crooning to the songs directed by SS Thaman.

The film is going to the censors on Monday and on that front, Saravanan is not perturbed and avers that he is confident about the film. He is just was thrilled to know that Chakravyuha’s first day first show begins at 3 am. “Though I have heard about it, this is the first time I will be getting a first-hand experience of a 3 am show,” says Saravanan, who has understood the nuances of working with a mass hero. “With a combination of a good story and star power, the excitement only gets higher closer to the release date,” he says.

The director hopes to work in more Kannada films and with actors, who particularly fit in his style of filmmaking. “I have directed a Telugu film and now a Kannada film. This is an example to me that there is not set language when it comes to cinema. Story can be said in different linguistic, but the feel remains the same,” Saravanan explains.

Sharing his journey while making  Chakravyuha, Saravanan says, “I choose to shoot in real locations. Puneeth being a mass hero, there were many fans who followed him at every location. Though at times it could get tough, it helped to understand the hero’s image better and accordingly helped me enhance the film,” he says and reveals that Chakravyuha is an inspired line from one his own films. “I have changed the screenplay and the backdrop. Mainly because it has Puneeth, there is a lot of difference between my Tamil film and the Kannada one,” he adds.

According to him, he was glad to have worked with Kannada stars and adds that Sandalwood is at par with other industries with a very cosmopolitan behaviour. “Rachita Ram and Puneeth made it a fresh combination. It was

Sadhu Kokila who made it easy for me on the sets, since he knew Tamil and he understood my mind. He would help me convey my thoughts to various artistes,” he says.

Not committed to any other film, Saravanan is waiting for Chakravyuha to release to accept his next project.

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The New Indian Express
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