Rajkumar comes alive in Cheluveye Ninna Nodalu

If a song in Puneeth starrer Raj featured his late father Rajkumar's leading ladies, Shivarajkumar's Kannada film Cheluveye Ninna Nodalu will see Rajkumar himself back on screen.

A song in the film will show clippings of the late actor alongside Shivanna.

Both Rajkumar and Shivanna will be shown through the split screen concept in a song. Rajkumar's famous song Huttidare Kannada Nadalli huttabeku has been remixed for the movie which shows Shivanna donning costumes akin to what Rajkumar wore in some of his superhit films.

While on one side of the screen you'll see Rajkumar in the original costumes, the other will feature Shivanna in similar outfits.

Ramesh Arvind and 'Nenapirali' Prem will be seen in guest roles. Sonal Chauhan is the leading lady.

Shivarajkumar's looks have been inspired from films such as Hosabelaku, Operation Diamond Racket, Mayura, Bhakta Prahalada, Bhakta Kumbara, Bangarada Manushya, Chalisuva Modagalu, Sipayi Ramu, Veera Kesari, Srinivasa Kalyana and Parashuram among others.

"We have tried to match the costumes and even the backdrop as far as possible," says director Raghuram.

The song also includes a rap bit. Titles bestowed on Rajkumar such as 'Gana Gandharva', 'Nata Sarvabhauma' and 'Veera Kesari' make up the lyrics of this 15-second rap bit.

Shivanna plays a tourist guide in the film who sings for the tourists.

"The group made up of Kannadigas, is on a holiday abroad on November 1 and when Shivanna asks them the significance of the day, they all say, back home it would have been their salary day. The hero reminds them that Kannada Rajyotsava falls on that day and sings the song," explains Raghu. 

While in the original, Rajkumar sings this song in a 'tonga', Shivanna will be in a convertible. Foreigners will be seen flying the Karnataka flag. The song will appear ten minutes before the interval.  

Another specialty is that Shivanna has sung a song in the film. He will be heard thanking his parents, God and the society in it.

The lyrics of most songs have been written by popular directors. Yograj Bhatt has written the climax song. Nagathihalli Chandrashekar, S Narayan and Nagendra Prasad have also penned the lyrics.

Except for the hero's introduction song, all the others have been shot abroad. In fact one song was shot in some of the Seven Wonders of the World. This makes Cheluveye the first Kannada unit to shoot in Petra, Jordan.

Shooting at the Colosseum, Rome was however the director's most memorable experience.  "We had acquired permission to shoot only for three days in Rome. We were denied permission to shoot until we made payment and since our producer was unable to accompany us, we could not make immediate payment. Shivanna and his wife Geetha stepped in and paid Rs four lakh from their personal account," he recalls. 

The Leaning Tower of Pisa and Burj Khalifa, Dubai, have also been featured in the song. Shooting at the Great Wall of China was not possible as they were unable to get permission.

Cheluveye... is also the first Kannada film to be digitised in Adlabs, Mumbai, according to the director.

"They themselves approached us after seeing the quality of our output," says Raghu. It is just not the technical side that stands out, but the performances too, he adds.

"Shivanna is super in the role. His character will remind you of Shah Rukh Khan's in DDLJ and Salman Khan's in Hum Aap Ke Hain Kaun." 

Only a few portions remain to be shot. Actor Ravichandran, who gave the clap for the first shot, will do the honours for the last shot also.