‘Raghvendra Stores’ director Santosh Anandram (centre) with the film’s lead actor Jaggesh (right) and Vijay Kiragandur, founder producer of Homble Films | Photo Credit: @SanthoshAnanddram/Facebook
Films of director Santosh Anandram (Prince, Yuvaratna) came out with much fanfare with Homble Films. Raghavendra Stores is the third project from the combination, and for a change, the film is hitting the theaters on April 28 with low-key promotion. Everything about the film contrasts with both Santosh and Hombley. While the former delivered a hat-trick of hits with superstars (Yash, Punit Rajkumar), the latter is a powerful production house known for big-ticket films. kgf franchise, Kantara, Raghavendra Store, with runtime of In under two hours, what appears to be a small film with a big heart is the film.
This is Santosh’s first collaboration with yesteryear star Jaggesh and the director is working on the comedy genre for the first time. The film is about people’s perception of late marriage and the taboos associated with it. Jaggesh plays Hayavadana, a 40-year-old cook who is struggling to find a bride. He goes in search of a bride with his father (Dattanna), only when he realizes that finding a partner at his age is not easy.
The film’s success will further fuel Hombley’s dream run, even as it may prompt Santosh to think of more offbeat subjects to work on. Ahead of the release, the director talks about teaming up with Jaggesh, exploring the different layers of the plot and plans to launch young Rajkumar, the grandson of Kannada actor Dr Rajkumar. Excerpts:
Before this film, you had made only star cars. Raghavendra Stores Looks like a proper genre film with senior actors. Why did you think of using it?
I wanted to do an organic project, a content-driven film in which I respond to the demands of the story and not work hard to satisfy distributors or maintain an actor’s image. Some of the recent hit movies and the presence of quality content on OTT platforms impressed me, just as they have changed people’s perception of good content.
Is the title of the film inspired from the famous eatery Sri Raghavendra Stores near Malleswaram in Bengaluru?
I grew up in Malleswaram, and the outlet was one of the inspirations behind the title of the film. Also, the film oozes some sort of divinity, and Jaggesh sir is a great follower of the great saint Guru Raghavendra Swami. We talk about feeding the hungry in the film. Several Raghavendra Swamy Maths serve food to the devotees throughout the year. So, the title makes sense for several reasons.
There is a familiarity attached to Jaggesh’s films. Many of his hits are adult comedies. Will it be a different Jaggesh film?
The film is about late marriages. Wherever there is naughtiness, be it in dialogues or scenes, people will not complain of vulgarity while watching. Raghavendra Stores. You will not usually see adult humor associated with Jaggesh’s films as we have dealt with a sensitive subject. The protagonist, Hayavadana, and the heroine, Vyjayanthi, are from orthodox Hindu families. He is an Iyengar, and Nayak is from the Brahmin community. We have tried to depict the concept of marriage and other topics as observed by these families. There are laughs, but there is nothing in the film to make you uncomfortable.
Jaggesh in a still from ‘Raghvendra Stores’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
How challenging was it to write a comedy film? Many filmmakers confuse exaggeration with good humor while some don’t go beyond tried and tested jokes…
The film is a fun ride, but I didn’t write the character or the punch lines just for him. When you do that, the humor feels forced. The circumstances of the film will divide people. That said, the final act of the film will make people cringe. origin of Raghavendra Stores is sentimental. People will definitely leave the cinema hall in tears as the taste of the film will linger for a while.
Your films talk about social issues. Prince Yuva was about to leave his parents in old age homes while corruption in the education system was the central struggle Yuvaratna, Desire Raghavendra Stores Is there even a message?
Through this film, we are telling people not to judge anyone. We are fighting our own battles, so we expect others to empathize with us. As far as cooking is concerned, the film emphasizes that cooking is not a task that can be taken lightly. We have also addressed a political issue, and that will surely surprise the audience. The film also tries to convey that any kind of service should be done with genuine interest and not just with the intention of gaining fame. There are social and personal issues, and we have balanced both very well in the film.
Jaggesh in a still from ‘Raghvendra Stores’ | Photo Credit: Special arrangement.
You announced your third film with Puneeth Rajkumar a few months before his death. What was the film about?
It was about a man who rises from the ashes. I had written the role of Puneet as someone who makes a spectacular comeback after falling into the dumps. I would definitely like to revisit the script some other day and think of making it into a film.
With your next film ‘Yuva’ you are launching Dr. Rajkumar’s grandson Yuva Rajkumar. Isn’t it a huge responsibility to see how the three sons of the veteran actor – Shivrajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar – made a grand entry into the film industry?
It is a big responsibility, but I have decided that I will not just focus on that aspect. If you do this, you are putting too much pressure on yourself. I know that all the debut films of actors from that family are blockbusters. I know that Youth Should make an impact and make the young prince a household name. I am working on it and the pre-production has taken eight months. As far as the young man is concerned, he has the charisma of an angry young man in front of the camera. His eyes are magical. He talks a lot. I guess, in every decade, you need an Angry Young Man on celluloid, and for now, young is the only one.