One of the stalwart directors-cum-actors of South Indian cinema, Samuthirakani, enters Sandalwood, alias ‘Chandanavana’, as an actor in a negative role, Phalke, in the Kannada film Kavala. It is no doubt a very happy moment. The acceptance of Samuthirakani for this film is also a big moment of pride for the team of Kavala.
With many coveted films as a director since 2001, and as an actor too, Samuthirakani is best known in the Tamil and Telugu film industries. He gained familiarity in Kannada from the film Yaare Koogadali, starring Karnataka Rathna Power Star Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar.
The Tamil film Nadodigal was remade in Kannada and was a super hit directed by Samuthirakani. A humble and simple, tall personality who has set tall standards in his films, he addressed the Kannada film media at AMB Kapali on the eve of his maiden Kannada film acting venture in Kavala.
Addressing the media, Samuthirakani stated that he would hire a Kannada teacher and speak in Kannada at the teaser release event of the film Kavala. That shows the humbleness of the director and the respect he attaches to the language.
Further addressing the media, he said he spoke to Puneeth Rajkumar a week before his tragic demise. “I discussed the subject ‘Kaduval’ with him, but he became ‘Kaduval’ after his departure. I was deeply saddened by his demise,” disclosed Samuthirakani. Prior to that, Samuthirakani had contacted Puneeth Rajkumar ‘Appu’ for his film Porali, but that did not happen.
Regarding his acceptance of the role of Phalke in Kavala, he said, “I am impressed with director Srijay’s story and screenplay. I am not supposed to reveal my role in detail. It is all left to the director,” he said.
Director Srijay said the portions of Samuthirakani will be shot Kashi and Ports whenever the dates match and that he has a very strong role to perform.
