From Mungaru Male to Mathe Mungaru

The 'M' factor' is at play in E Krishnappa's third Kannada production. But this time it's just not the letter 'M' he hopes to cash on but also the word mungaru from his record breaking production Mungaru Male.

However there is no connection between Mungaru Male and Mathe Mungaru -- as this Srinagara Kitty film is titled -- barring rain.

Krishnappa's second film was Moggina Manasu, a female oriented script. The film brought to the fore talented actors like Radhika Pandit, Yash and Shuba Punja.

Mathe Mungaru also holds hope in the form of writer-director Dwarki Raaghava who has previously directed a Tamil film.

While the crew is very tight-lipped about the plot and are just claiming to come out with a "surprise film", some from the industry reveal that the story is based on a fisherman's family.

The film, it is said also speaks of patriotism and the Hindu-Muslim issue.

When pused to reveal details, Dwarki says that Mathe Mungaru is a "love story with a national spirit". He also goes on to add that it would have taken only someone of the caliber of Krishnappa to make this kind of a film.

"I took two scripts to him, while one was a routine subject, this was the other. He bravely came forward to do this film."

Rachana Malhotra is paired opposite Kitty. Theatre doyen Enagi Nataraj, Ashtwath Ninasam, Achchutha, Muni and yesteryears actress Roopadevi play important roles in the film.

Eleven actors including Kitty have tonsured their heads in the film.

Most parts of the film have been shot in Mumbai. Nariman Point, Versova, Marine Drive and the Taj Hotel are the main locations. In Karnataka, the crew has shot in Shimoga, Gokharna, Mysore and Bangalore. Shooting will take place in Jammu and Kashmir as well.

Most of the second half of the film has been shot on a set created by art director Mohan B Kere. An estimated Rs 35 lakh was spent on this set. Services of around 80 painters and carpenters have been utilised to put it in place. The set is that of a jail, sources say. Borders of different countries have also been recreated, they add. Many scenes have been shot in natural settings, sea being the prominent one.

Paul Raj, who has worked with A R Rahman and Illayaraja as a rhythm player, is debuting as a music director with this film. Asha Bhonsle, Hariharan, Chitra, Vijay Prakash of Jai Ho fame and Shreya Goshal have lent their voices.

While Sundarnath Suvarna is the cinematographer, Different Danny is behind the action sequences. The film is slated for a monsoon release.