Nana Patekar all set for Kannada debut

Nana Patekar is entering the Kannada film industry with Yaksha. The actor plays Yograj Pulakeshi, an upright police officer.

Director of the film, Ramesh Bhagvat, zeroed in on Nana as he wanted the cop to have a Krantiveer kind of image.

"I had written the story three years ago and since then was insistent on casting Nana. My producer was supportive and told me that I could go ahead and approach him without worrying about payment.

"After 4-5 sittings, Nana was convinced about the film and his part. He conveys a message to the society and is more like a messiah in the film.

"If in Raajneeti his character was akin to that of Lord Krishna, here he is more like Kaliyug ka Parashuram," says Ramesh.

Nana also plays father to hero Yogish in the film.

Nana has even shaken a leg to a song penned by director Yograj Bhatt and choreographed by Imran.

The message to the young generation is conveyed through the song, which will also feature Yogish.

The Hindi actor has also dubbed for the movie. It may be recalled here that while he had acted in Bharatiraja's Tamil film Bommalattam, he had not dubbed for it. This is the first time he is dubbing in a South Indian language.

"During the shoot, he used to write his lines in Marathi or Hindi and speak them in Kannada. His pronunciation was not bad at all. Thus I convinced him to dub. He was apprehensive initially but when I reasoned that his character would have lived in North India for most part of his life and thus even if pronunciations vary a bit, it will be justified, he agreed. He finished dubbing in two days."

Impressed with the film, Nana has even assured Ramesh of coming back to Bangalore and watching the film.

But was it all hay and sunshine given the actor's famous temper?

"We had also heard that he was moody. I met him first on the sets on Raajneeti in Bhopal. But I found him to be humble. It's just that he is a no-nonsense guy and can't stand people who butter him up. He is a very friendly person. He even prepared mutton chops for the entire unit after we completed the shoot," says Ramesh.

However, it was not all work and no play for Nana Patekar in Bangalore.

The actor took time off to meet his cricketing idol BS Chandrashekar, the legendary leg spinner of yesteryear.

He went to the latter's home and spent over one and half hours there and came out saying "I felt like being in the temple of Chandra!"

He also spoke to his other favourite sports star, Anil Kumble over the phone.

Yaksha depicts the journey of the lead character, who goes by the same name, in the underworld.

It tells the story of a youth who wants to be powerful and the obstacles he encounters. Yaksha, according to the Rig Veda, is someone who protects nature. Likewise this Yaksha will be seen protecting the society, according to the director.

Theatre artiste Hiranaiah plays the role of Yogish's young-at-heart grandfather.

Atul Kulkarni plays the villain. Even he has dubbed in Kannada for the first time. Tamil actress Sharanya and Kannada industry's favourite onscreen cop Kishore are also part of the cast. Komal plays a comedian while Ruby is the heroine. 

Asked if the director, who is also an actor, be donning the grease paint this time around and he says, "No, this time I'll be behind the camera. However Yogish's brother Mahesh, who has till now acted only in small roles, will play an important role."

The team will soon leave for Bangkok to shoot a song.Yogish will be seen skating in the song.

Another thing that the actor will try out for the film is a folk form called Huli Vesha. He has sought training in Mangalore for this. Sword fighting will also be used in a sequence.

Anup Seelin is the music director. Kailash Kher and Star Voice of India contestant Ritisha have sung the songs.

The film is slated for August.