"My connection with coastal Karnataka runs deep," reminisces Golden Star Ganesh, reflecting on his journey in the Kannada film industry. "The director (M D Sridhar), producer (Jagadish Kotyan), and music director (Gurukiran) of my debut film, Chellata, all hailed from Mangaluru. Since then, life has continually brought me back to Karavali. Destiny played a role when I married Shilpa, also from the region. Over time, my bond with Tulu culture and the land of Parashurama Srishti has strengthened. Three years ago, during an event in Mangaluru, I expressed my desire to create a Tulu film someday. Now, that dream is coming true as Shilpa and I gear up to work on our Tulu film," reveals Ganesh.
Reflecting on the cultural influence of his mother-in-law, Ganesh shares, "She often shares Tulu plays, Yakshagana performances, and clips from Tulu films with me. I am in awe of the talent in the Tulu industry, especially their impeccable comic timing. Working with remarkable actors like Aravind Bolar and Arjun Kapikad has been a privilege, witnessing their brilliance firsthand. I am excited to collaborate with Sandeep Bedra as our director, Nityaprakash Bantwal as the lead, Mohan Bhatkal as the scriptwriter, and Santosh Rai Pathaje as the cinematographer — all of whom have made their mark in cinema." Ganesh also shares that he will make a cameo appearance in the film, marking his Tulu cinema debut. "I speak the language fluently and understand it well, so expect me to deliver a few dialogues," he chuckles.
"Our Tulu film will showcase Karavali, akin to how Mungaru Male highlighted Coorg," shares Shilpa Ganesh. For Shilpa, the film is deeply personal and a tribute to her roots. "Growing up in Dubai, I would return home for holidays, and my aunts would take my mom and me to watch Tulu dramas at the Town Hall."The city of Mangaluru is known for its rich cultural and artistic heritage, which still has immense potential waiting to be explored. The goal of this film is to showcase Mangaluru in a similar light to how Mungaru Male highlighted Coorg, emphasizing its tourism, art, culture, and the linguistic excellence of the Karavali region,” Shilpa explains.
