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Are you ready for Upendra's comeback film?

Director-actor Upendra is returning to the silver screen as director after a long gap of ten years with a title-less Kannada film. The film has a hand symbol which some people have named as Super.

Nayanthara and Tulip Joshi are also a part of this film which is being made in Telugu and Tamil as well.

Given his penchant for raw and real storylines, the 'real star', as Uppi is popularly known, takes time off for this interview but contrary to his long dialogues in films, has very little to say when it comes to his first release of the year and plans of entering politics. Excerpts:

You are returning to direction after ten years. Are you nervous?

Every film maker and artist is under pressure just before their film's release. People's response is nothing less than a Supreme Court judgment, after all.

You're claiming that this film is different. How?

Like in any film, there is a story and screenplay but you are sure to find a difference in the way the story has been told.

 

'Nayanthara is very down-to-earth'

Which among the popular songs in the film is your favourite?

It's like asking a mother to pick her favourite child! Anyway I've heard that people liked Kai kai uppinakayi and sikapatte ishtappate which I have sung.

What is this Super Squad we're hearing about?

Following the leak of our film songs on the Internet within hours of the audio launch, producer Rockline Venkatesh decided to form a squad to tackle piracy. Such squads will function across Karnataka. The Bangalore team itself will have around 30 members. Legal experts and film chamber members will be part of the initiative. The effort is to bring to book people involved in piracy. The concept will come into force on day of the film's release.

Nayanthara is making her Kannada film debut with this film. How is she as a co-star?

She is very down-to-earth and never made me feel the pressures of working with a top grade artist.

Why this long a hiatus from direction?

My acting commitments kept me busy. Also expectations from audience from the director in me pressurised me to come out only with the best. None of the scripts that I had written before this one satisfied me and I don't go ahead with a film until I really like the story and screenplay.

Are you then saying that the failure of some of your previous directorials has nothing to do with the break?

See, it's not like if one directorial becomes a hit, you immediately go on to make the next one or if one directorial flops, you stop making films! It's just that I need to be convinced about a subject before going ahead with direction. And by the way, I took this break after directing Upendra, which was a hit.

'I have nothing to complain about'

Does it bother you that despite directing trend-setting films like Tharle Nan Maga, Om, A, Shh and Upendra, you are yet to receive an award?

The fact that people consider me a trend setter is good enough for me. I have nothing to complain about.

You have been considered a better director than an actor

Both directors and actors have a different set of pleasures and pressures. Being a director is also something that I have enjoyed as you are in charge of the entire film making process. There is greater satisfaction.

As an actor you get to be just  the hand in a body. And things may go wrong when the hand does not fit well with the rest of the body. But as a director you'll get to fit the right hand with the right head thus avoiding errors.

'I live in the present so I don't ponder over the past or future much'

You started out as a director and now you're acting as well. Why?

I used to act in plays before entering this industry. I decided to play the lead role in A as the protagonist is a director in the film. Since I was a director by then, I thought it would be a good idea to play the role myself and thus began my acting career.

Is there any particular actor whom you would like to act with or direct?

I live in the present so I don't ponder over the past or future much. I believe things happen when they have to so you just need to go with the flow. Let's see what's waiting for me.

What inspires you?

My surroundings, the happenings that take place around me are my greatest source of inspiration. They get me thinking.

The production of Bhimoo's Bang Bang Kids and Shreemathi started before Super, but why are they yet to release?

I have finished my job in Bhimoo's and don't know what's happening there. Shreemathi which also stars Celina Jetley and my wife Priyanka is almost complete. We just have to shoot a song. I got busy with this film and Celina has also been busy. We will finish that film once this film releases.

'I don't see anything wrong with remakes'

Have you seen Priyanka evolve as an actress?

I see no changes in her as she was always a good actress and a human being.

What happened to London Gowda? Is it true that a thread from that film has been used in Super?

Not true. Also no work is happening on that front.

Don't you feel that the Kannada industry has not only had a rough year but also been laden with remakes?

What's wrong with the industry especially when we saw films like Pancharangi and Jackie? Also I don't see anything wrong with remakes.

Reports suggest that you are entering politics, is it true?

You'll know very soon.

What happened to your plans of opening a studio?

Nothing much is happening on that front as my films have kept me busy.