Shivraj Kumar-Meera Jasmine combo returns

Sai Prakash is releasing a sentimental drama on November 12. A devotee of Sai Baba, the director wants his Kannada film to be released on a Thursday.

Sai Prakash is also producing the film which features Shivaraj Kumar and Meera Jasmine as siblings.

Sai Prakash says that this "brother-sister sentiment saga" will be like his previous successful films Thavarige Baa Thangi and Anna Thangi.

A remarkable thing about the film is that a whopping Rs 45 lakhs has been spent in creating the climax sequence.

"We have included 14 minutes of graphics work to create a stunning flood sequence where the film's hero Shivaraj Kumar saves his sister and his relatives. This would be a big highlight of the film," Sai Prakash says.

According to the director, the songs composed by Hamsalekha will be a major attraction.

"Hamsalekha sir is known for using lot of folk tunes in his songs. Since my film is based in a village, the focus was on the traditional practices of the people there. I have picturised a Nagara Panchami song (Obba Thangi Maado Habba) to illustrate the relationship between the brother and sister even after their marriage. Even today this practice exists, and brothers visit their sisters and present them with gifts on the occasion. I have also included a Ugadi festival song (Kannadakke Saati Illa). The three popular songs will focus on the festivities that are popular in Karnataka. I am sure the song shot in Ghaththaragi in Uttara Karnataka region will also be very popular," says Sai Prakash.

The other popular songs in the film include Nanna Neththige Muththitta rendered by Chithra and the title song by Shankar Mahadevan and Chithra.

Shivaraj Kumar who desperately needs a big hit is confident about this film.

"This is one of the best roles in my career. Devaru Kotta Thangi has a flood of emotions in the story and Sai Prakash is known for his sentimental films. National award winner Meera Jasmine rocks in the film. When I saw the first copy, I was amazed at her range of expressions. The climax has come out very well," says Shivaraj Kumar.

Meera Jasmine, who has already worked in two Kannada films with Shivaraj Kumar's younger brother Puneet Raj Kumar, feels that Devaru Kotta Thangi has offered her one of the best roles in her career.

"I enjoyed dancing to those traditional songs. Shivanna sir was like my older brother giving me a lot of inputs during the shooting," says Meera Jasmine.

Young Suraj is paired with Meera Jasmine. Other than her, another Malayali girl Monisha also features in the film.

Devaru Kotta Thangi is the ninth film of the Sai Prakash-Shivaraj Kumar combo. November has been a lucky month for Shivaraj Kumar so far as two of his biggest block busters -- Thavarige Baa Thangi and Anna Thangi -- both directed by Sai Prakash and on "brother-sister sentiment" were released in that month. It is but natural that the duo has high hopes on this film.