Chalagara is a children’s film that will be out this summer, and what makes the film directed by AR Ravindra interesting is the lead character – Master Manu. The young talent, all of 12 years, is physically challenged and is playing the role of such a child in the film.
The director tells City Express how he zeroed in on Manu. “Manu was abandoned by his parents as a child near Upparpet Police Station in Majestic and he started begging,” says Ravindra.
“It was a police constable who helped the boy by enrolling him with Samarthan Charitable Trust. The boy is highly talented and I decided to train him for the role.”
Ravindra then approached S R Sanath Kumar, who also happens to be physically challenged, to be a producer for the film. “He was moved by Manu’s background,” says the director.
The director shares what the movie is about: “The film is around the support and encouragement a handicapped child gets from his mother and teacher to win a race. It’s about life lessons and challenges faced by differently abled people.”
“A premier show will be held on April 8 for which our producer will be inviting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,” says the director, adding, “The producer has in fact sent a letter recommending a separate award for differently abled artistes, which we hope will be considered.” Padma Vasanthi, Manjunath Hegde and Gururaj Hoskote are among others in the cast.