The buzz is that namma Uppi Dada is shortly expected to make an official announcement about his forthcoming directorial. As he returns to wield the megaphone after a decade, rumours abound that the film will be made on a whopping Rs 20 crore budget and that the audio rights have already been bought for a record amount. What’s more, it’s also being said that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will star in it! Even the film’s logo - a hand with the index finger pointing down, while the rest point up - is making news.
Is he enjoying all the attention his film is getting even before it’s been officially launched? “I like the fact that the symbol has created such a buzz. That was the whole intention of designing it. Even Yograj Bhat has given his interpretation and says it means ‘adbhuta’ (wonderful).
But there’s a lot of discussion about Aishwarya being in the film. I’m not going to accept or deny it. Because those things weren’t said by me,” says Uppi.
The last time he directed films like A, Om and Ssssh was in the ’90s. The Kannada audience has been exposed to different kinds of films since then, including trend-setting B-town films. Does he feel equipped to handle such an audience?
“I won’t toe the line like the rest and say it’s a different film. I’ve put myself in the audience’s shoes and made what I think they may like. It’s up to them to tell me whether I’ve updated myself or if I’m outdated,” he says.
And while the actor and film-maker refuses to reveal much else, he tells us that wife Priyanka will be heading the design team. “She likes styling and will be designing the costumes for the cast,” he says.
The actor is currently winding up Shrimathi, which also stars Priyanka and Celina Jaitly. Uppi and CJ even shot an intimate song recently. “I don’t think it’s a big deal. As actors, it’s a part of our job. Although it may look hot to the audience, they don’t realise that we’ve given five retakes, adjusted our hair-dos umpteen times, and also film it in front of an entire crew. So, canning such scenes is really painful!” he laughs.
0 Responses to Upendra: film’s logo - a hand (No name)