Prem and Ramya are back!

The hit jodi of Jote Joteyali -- Prem and Ramya -- is returning to entertain us with Jotegaara. The Kannada film that has been delayed for a while is finally releasing this Friday.

Prem talks to Shruti Indira Lakshminarayana about the film. Excerpts:

How are you feeling with Jotegara hitting the theatres finally?

I am very excited about this film as it will establish me as an action hero as well. While Jotegaara is a love story, a lot of scope has been provided to perform action.

So I'm waiting to find out people's reactions. This apart, through this film I also got an opportunity to perform my dream role.

And your dream role is?

It's that of a singer. In the film I play a singer who is looking to cut an album with a group of friends. I wanted to become a singer but ended up being an actor. In fact for eight consecutive years, I have won prizes in school for my singing. Even today whenever I have free time, I listen to film music and sing.

S P Balasubramaniam, Kishore Kumar, Rafi and Sonu Nigam are my all time favourites. I'm very happy that today I have danced to some of Sonu's numbers in my films.

Like in Savi Savi Nenapu, have you crooned in this film too?

No. But I must say the songs have come out beautifully.

Speaking of songs, is it true that your insistence on the inclusion of an introduction song was among the reasons that led to the delay in the release of the film?

The song was already a part of the script and had even been recorded. In the last minute they decided to drop it due to budget problems. I did tell them that the song would add value to the film but later let it be. But when the unit saw the film, they themselves felt the need to include the song. Director Prem was roped in to director the sequence.

Were you also particular that Czech beauty Yana Gupta be roped in for the song?

I don't know anything about Yana Gupta. In fact the producer wanted to cast her and I had even heard that she had been paid the advance. There after I don't know what happened. If I was so insistent on her, why would I agree to do the song with Jeniffer Kotwal? See, this is nothing more than a blame game. But right now I have no hard feelings and am looking forward to the film.

Apart from the songs and the story, photography is the other highlight. Also in the second half watch out for Sadhu Kokhila and Doddana's act. They will be seen speaking North Karnataka dialect.

You are teaming up with Ramya again for this film, how has your work experience with her been?

Both good and bad! The first schedule of our first film Jothe Jotheyali was a great experience. But the second schedule was unpleasant. I was new to the industry then and was yet to get a grip of its ways. There was lack of co-ordination between us and this led to some misunderstandings. But our onscreen chemistry stayed unaffected. But during the shoot of Jotegaara we became friends and all is well now.

Jotegaara is a love story like most of your other films, we have also heard that your real life story is no less than a film story .

[Laughs] Well, after being rejected by a girl whom I had liked, I had decided to let my parents choose a girl for me. But in life things generally don't happen your way and I ended up loving another girl and marrying her. My wife Jyothi, who was then a friend proposed to me and I rejected her. Later I realised I had made a mistake and ran after her and wooed her. Our marriage was also a tense affair as it was held at a time when the late actor Rajkumar was kidnapped. Section 144 was in force then. Thinking of it now, it was one hell of a time!

Coming back to films, don't you feel the need to break from the lover boy image?

I am looking to do historical roles. But it largely depends on the script and producer. Also I should keep in mind my audience's expectations. In fact to judge their tastes, I constantly interact with my fan clubs. Also I plan to open my own production house. Let's see. I may come out with fresh ideas through my home banner. I am also looking forward to working with director Yograj Bhat.

A sequel to Eradane Maduve, in which you acted, has been announced. Are you a part of the cast?

No.

In both your recent film Eradane Maduve and Cheluveye Ninna Nodalu, yours was a guest role. Are substantial scripts not coming your way?

What's wrong with doing guest roles especially in films like these? In Eradane Maduve all characters stood out. And I did Cheluveye as I always wanted to act with Shivanna. But henceforth I will stay away from guest roles until and unless they are one of a kind.

Are you still averse to remakes?

I had announced that I won't do remakes, but the industry failed to respond to this stand of mine. In fact I lost four-five films because of this decision. I have no regrets though. But later I did Gautham, a remake and am open to more now.

What are your current projects?

There are two films. While one is readying for release, I'm finalising the other. But I don't want to talk about them until my remunerations are settled.

What went wrong with Prema Chandrama?

As an actor I believe in involving myself in the film from start to finish. What can I do if my involvement is mistaken for interference? Anyway in this case the team had asked me to give design suggestions as they were impressed with my ideas pertaining to the photo shoot. Looks like they got confused about what they wanted and blamed me for everything. Also with just three days remaining for the shoot to commence, I was yet to get a reading. Tell me, how I can prepare for the role at such short notice? I'll be the one who'll have to answer people if my acting suffers. So I just decided to go my way.

Finally, Jotegaara clashes with Ganesh's Eno Onthara this Friday, do you feel the competition?

Why should one Kannada film compete with another? I want all Kannada films to do well. If anything I want, it is our industry to grow to a level where we can compete with other language cinema.