Two heroines fight it out

Navya Nair and Sheela, two Kerala-based actresses are vying for top honours in Kannada this week.

Navya Nair is teamed up with Hatrick actor Shivaraj Kumar in Sai Prakash's Bhagyadha Balegaara while Sheela is Ajay Kumar's heroine in Prem Kahani directed by Chandru of Taj Mahal fame.

The music of both these films have been composed by maestro Ilayaraja.

Navya Nair is already an established actress in Kannada having made her debut in a blockbuster like Gaja with Darshan. She has also acted with Dr Vishnuvardhan in Nam Yejamaanaru. Bhagyadha Balegaara is her third release.

Sheela is not a big name in Malayalam films though she made her debut in Mammootty's Maya Bazaar. She is Maaya in Malayalam as there is a well established veteran actress by the name of Sheela. But she [Maaya] is Sheela in Telugu and Tamil films.

She made a mark in the Telugu film industry after she teamed up with Allu Arjun in the successful film Parugu. She was one of the heroines of Raam in Maska. She is now acting with NTR Junior in V Vinayak's Adurs.

Prem Kahani is Sheela's first Kannada film.

Navya Nair says that Bhagyadha Balegaara is a traditional film which highlights customs and traditional values.

"We have not seen films being made on bangle sellers. Shivaraj Kumar sir plays the role of a bangle seller, and I play his lover. In these days when every film is focused on stories of the rich and the famous, this one is made highlighting our traditional values. The story is completely rural based and I really enjoyed working in it. Songs are the real highlight of the film. Ilayaraja sir's melodious compositions have been picturised so well that you will instantly love them," says Navya.

She is full of praise for Shivaraj Kumar and the film's director Sai Prakash too.

"Sai Prakash sir is so calm and quiet. Shivaraj Kumar sir is so simple despite being such a big star. To dance with Shivaraj Kumar was a great experience. He is super fast in his dance movements. I don't want to reveal anything about the story but I am sure the audience will leave the theatre moist-eyed," she adds.

Meanwhile, Sheela says that Prem Kahani is like a real life story.

'I am sure each and every viewer will relate to the story very well. There are many surprising and interesting twists in the film. My role takes an emotional turn in the second half. Though I am seen mostly in songs and a few comedy scenes in the first half, I have lot of powerful scenes in the second half," says Sheela.

Prem Kahani is made using the Super 35 camera by cinematographer Chandrashekhar.