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Now, a Kannada film on the pitfalls of FDI

Having received a national award for all his six films (Munnudi, Atithi, Beru, Tutturi, Vimukthi and Bettada Jeeva), P Sheshadri is a force to reckon with.

While his previous and beautifully shot film Bettada Jeeva was based on Shivaram Karanth's novel of the same name, his next, Bharat Stores, delves into FDI, a topic of great relevance.

Globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation are topics that have always interested him both as a journalist and filmmaker.

So his decision to make a film with particular reference to the government's decision to allow foreign direct investment in retail  comes as no surprise.

'The film throws light on the impact of malls and mega marts on small shops'

"The film throws light on the impact of malls and mega marts on small shops or 'kaaka angadis.'

It's just not the economics that has changed but also relationships," says the director.

The small shops thrived on personal relationships which has become rare in the age of supermarket culture. Unable to match the marketing techniques of the big supermarkets, small shops have started dying a slow death, Sheshadri explains, and hence his concern.

"There were times when areas were identified on the basis of such shops that existed in the vicinity. Bus-stops were also named after them.

"The film centres on Govinda Shetty, the owner of Bharat Stores, one such shop. In the film, while the bus-stop named after the store continues to exist, the shop would have shut down long back," says the director.

'There are bound to be repercussions over the years'

Sheshadri has roped in one of his most trusted actors, Dattana, to play Govinda.

Sudharani and Gurudutt are also part of the cast. Cinematography is by Mahendra Simha and music by V Manohar.

The film spans 14 years and the story is told through the eyes of a woman who returns to her country in search of something that is dear to her father.

The search leads her to Govinda and in this process we are made aware of the impact of FDI.

"Walmart entering the market may initially mean lucrative offers but over the years there are bound to be repercussions," notes Sheshadri.

The film further observes how malls and supermarkets have led many of us to cultivate the habit of impulsive spending.

The film is headed for a June 2013 release.