Ghost stories have always fascinated filmmakers. From ghosts seeking revenge to those looking for love, we have seen films that have thrilled and given us goosebumps in equal measure. The latest to join this bandwagon is the Kannada film Kaanadante Mayavadanu.
Said to be a romantic, fantasy with all the commercial ingredients, it is written and directed by Raj Pathipati, who makes his début as a director. The film is produced by Back Benchers Motion Picture and is set for release in early November.
The film’s title comes from the popular song ‘Kaanadante maayavadanu, namma Shiva Kailasa serikondanu’, which was sung by Puneeth Rajkumar as a child artiste for the hit film Chalisuva Modagalu. The film featured the late Dr Rajkumar, Ambika and Sarita.
Vikas, who has carved a niche for himself as an writer, lyricist, film editor and director, makes his début as a leading man with Kaanadante Mayavadanu. This is not his first foray into acting. He is a known face on screen as a character artiste and in leading roles on the small screen, starting off in serials such as Kadambari and Gupta Gamini. “I worked in television for more than a decade and then started feeling vexed. That is when I met Duniya Suri. We had worked in the serial Sadhane years ago. He was the director and I edited the show. And we got together and worked for the film Doddamane Huduga, directed by Suri.” The story was co-written by Vikas and Suri and starred ‘Powerstar’ Puneeth Rajkumar and ‘Sandalwood Cinderella’ Radhika Pandit in the lead.
“Editing,” says Vikas, “is a real challenge as it has to be done in such a way that the audience does not lose its concentration while watching the serial or a film. Editing serials is a Herculean task. Many women watch them while doing their household chores. So we ensure that the scenes are a little prolonged so that even if she rushes to switch off her stove and gets back, she does not miss anything. In films, everything happens in a split second. Editing is a skill.”
In Kanadante Mayavadanu, Vikas is paired with Sindhu Lokanath. The actor is upset that the “press has termed our film as a horror film. It is not. It is a thriller, which has romance and action. The film is about a man who dies, and prays for a second chance at life,” explains Vikas, who has also directed the hit film Jayammana Maga with Duniya Vijay in the lead.
Vikas has a word of praise for the director, Raj, saying, “This is the best script I have ever read. I was excited and was ready to work on it thinking a big name would be cast as the lead. But Raj offered me the lead. I was doubly thrilled.”
Will he go back to directing soon? “Not yet. I have worked hard on my body language, walk, learnt dance and fights. I would love to explore a few more roles before going back behind the camera.”