No action, no romance, only music

Karanjji is newbie director Sridhar's take on Kannada rock bands. The film, which has Vijay Raghavendra and Gauri Karnik playing lead roles, will hit the screens on April 10

No action, no romance, only music

Karanjji is newbie director Sridhar's take on Kannada rock bands. The film, which has Vijay Raghavendra and Gauri Karnik playing lead roles, will hit the screens on April 10

Why a film on rock music, especially because you confess you are no musician?
Music is a universal language. I enjoy listening to all kinds of music be it classical music, folk songs or qawaalis. I have enjoyed Shisunala Sharief's poetry and I hope to integrate these influences in my film. I want youngsters to connect with such music. That's why I decided against making a romantic film or an action film. The gimmicks of Gandhinagar are not for me!

From copy writing to news reporting to film direction, how has the journey been?
I enjoyed my stint as a journalist. Apart from regular news stories, I also wrote a couple of short stories but I was attracted to the audio-visual media. I wanted to use my skills on a broader platform. I find filmmaking very challenging. I don't have any illusions about the unforgiving nature of the film industry towards flops but I believe that I have the passion and the involvement to succeed. I haven't worked as assistant to any hotshot director. I am learning on the job and I'm enjoying it.

The audience is bound to compare your film with Rock On, the Hindi super hit...
I can only tell you that I was not influenced by Rock On. My script was ready long before Rock On was released. But Rock On's success at the box office is an encouraging sign. It makes me feel upbeat about my film. It also shows that the audience has reached a certain level of maturity to accept different kinds of films u2013 not just action flicks or romantic films.u00a0

Do you listen to rock music?
I have listened to rock bands in Bangalore, some of whom are promoting folk beats and folk songs. I have heard bands like Swarathma, Chiguru, Galeej Gurus and Divine Rockers, and I like their music. I used their inputs while writing the script of Karanjji. My film is about a rock musician, his multi-cultural influences and his quest.u00a0

Your lead heroine Gauri Karnik is a Mumbai girl. Didn't you want to sign on a heroine from the Kannada film industry?
I thought Gauri turned in an excellent performance in a musical like Sur with Lucky Ali. She is trained in classical music. She is also a down-to-earth girl. All these factors worked in her favour.u00a0

Which films have you been watching?u00a0
I enjoyed watching Dev D, Rock On, Mumbai Meri Jaan in Hindi, and Ambari, Navagruha, Moggina Manasu and Inthi Ninna Prithiya in Kannada. I also liked the Telugu film, Happy Days. I like films where music is an integral part of the story.