Ganesh turns director

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Ganesh turns director with his home production Kool. The actor who was to play just the lead role in this college love story will soon step into the director's shoes.

Initially Mussanje Mahesh, who has also directed Ganesh in his yet to be released Eno Onthara, was roped in to direct the film. But Mahesh opted out of the film stating "creative differences" with the cinematographer of the film, Rathnavelu.

"We had some differences when it came to shot composition and angles and thus in the interest of the film, I decided to step down," says Mahesh. He and the assistant director will be compensated according to sources.

Once an NOC (no objection certificate) is received from Mahesh, Ganesh will be able to direct the film, they added. "Differences were cropping up on the first day of the shoot itself between the director and cinematographer. So the director and us decided to part ways," says producer Shilpa Ganesh.

Shilpa had also been accused of asking Mahesh to "get out" from the set. However neither of them are ready to talk about it.

Mumbai model Sana Khan is the heroine of this film.

Her maiden Kannada film Jackie opposite Puneet Rajkumar is yet to be released, but Malayalam actress Bhavana has already been offered a role opposite another big wig in the Kannada industry. 

Bhavana, producer Dwarkeesh confirms, has been signed on to play Sudeep's heroine in his untitled production.

The actress who has just finished shooting for three songs with Puneet in Rome, Austria and South Africa will next shoot for this film.

Hindi actor Sonu Sood is also acting in the film as well as Priya Mani, who has an important role to play. Grapevine has it that she will be playing a character similar to that of Ramya Krishnan in Padayappa.

The film is said to be about a common man who dreams of becoming like Vishnuvardhan. Whether it is the late actor or the king by the same name that he has as his idol is not clear. However this being the storyline, Dwarkeesh wanted to name the film Vishnuvardhana. But Bharti, wife of late actor Vishnuvardhan took exception to this and the film as of now remains untitled.

Surya's Singam is all set to be remade in Kannada.

The buzz has it that the Kannada version will have Sudeep essaying the lead role. However it is yet to be seen if the actor will direct the film as well. The film will be titled Kempegowda, sources say. Heavy duty action is what we can expect in this film.

The original saw Surya up against a gang of robbers. The actor had also sported a long funky moustache for his role and it remains to be seen if Sudeep will go in for a similar look.

Anushka of Arundhati fame was Singam's leading lady. Whether she will be approached to be a part of this film is unknown. There are also talks that the actress may be approached to act opposite Shivarajkumar in a film.

Shankre Gowda is said to be producing Kempegowda.