The shooting of the film “Devasasya” has been completed. Directed by Karthik Bhat, the film is based on the culture, traditions and practices of the Siddi community, which is largely settled in and around Sirsi taluk. The story revolves around a rare plant.
The film is being made in five languages, including Kannada, Telugu and Hindi. It is produced by Ananthamurthy M. Hegde under the Ananth Films banner. Karthik Bhat has written the story and screenplay and is making his directorial debut with this project. The final day of shooting took place at Puttanna Kanagal Studio on Magadi Road. The team shared details about the film with media representatives who visited the location.
The film narrates a story set in 1995. Selvin D’Souza, a youth from the Siddi community who used to drive a tractor in his village, plays the lead role. The director trained him for two years for the role. Theatre artist Ahan Gowda and Bimbika J. Rao play prominent roles. More than 150 Siddi artistes have acted in the film. A village set recreating the 1995 period was erected for the film, and shooting was carried out there for 93 days.
Producer Ananthamurthy Hegde said he has had a strong interest in cinema from the beginning, which led him to produce this film. Shooting began in March, and most of the filming was done in Uttara Kannada. Around 150 to 200 people worked on the film. He said the story centres on a unique Sanjeevini plant referred to as “Devasasya.” He added that the team was fortunate to have found such a script and that the director worked on the project for three years. A village from 30 years ago was recreated for the film. Since the story revolves around a plant, the film is being made in five languages, he said.
Director Karthik Bhat said he has always been passionate about cinema and had previously worked as a writer for some films and television serials before taking up direction for the first time. He said the film portrays the Siddi community living in the forest regions around Sirsi and described it as presenting a new world rather than just a story. He noted that Uttara Kannada has both Malenadu and Bayaluseeme regions with many stories to tell, and this is one of them. He said 46 to 47 versions of the script were written before finalising it. After narrating the story, the producer agreed to back the project. The story takes place between two villages, and the role of the Siddi youth is played by Selvin D’Souza.
Actor Selvin said he used to drive a tractor in his village and knows Kannada well. When the director approached him about acting in the film, he initially laughed, wondering if it was possible for someone like him. He later underwent training in acting and action under the director’s guidance. Actor Ahan said he plays a character named Kurmushta. Actress Bimbika said she appears as a Siddi girl named Matangi in the film and that this is her fifth film.
The film has cinematography by Yashwanth, music composed by Hari Ajay and editing by KGF Srikant. Seven songs in different styles have been shot in the natural landscapes of Uttara Kannada, sung by Rajesh Krishnan, Anthony Das, Indu Nagaraj and Ravi Mooruru. Action direction is by Mithun Singh of Kantara fame. The cast also includes Selvin D’Souza, Prakash Belawadi, Pramod Shetty, Ayyappa Sharma, Ravi Mooruru, Manjunath Hegde, Geetha Siddi of Salaga fame and others.
