The muhurat of Kadal Kote, starring Vasishta Simha in the lead, was recently held at Sri Maha Ganapati Temple in Sri Kshetra Ganeshpura, Surathkal. The film is produced by Dharmendra under the Janaki Combines banner and is written and directed by Ranjith Kumar Gowda.
Noted Bhagavatar Patla Satish Shetty gave the clap for the first shot, while B.P. Dinesh Kumar, Lokayukta SP of Mangaluru, switched on the camera. Retired Lokayukta Commissioner Nataraj and Biruver Kudla founder-president Uday Poojary were present and conveyed their wishes to the team.
Director Ranjith Kumar Gowda said the film is a gangster story set in the coastal region. He said the film includes family sentiment, friendship and love, and explores what happens in a person’s life when he runs behind money. The story revolves around gaining control over a harbour and depicts the exploitation and conflicts that occur there. According to the director, the narrative also shows how the protagonist rises amid such circumstances. He added that the story is partly based on certain real incidents.
The team is planning around 65 days of shooting in locations including Udupi, Surathkal, Mangaluru Harbour and Bengre. The film has five songs. Producer Dharmendra said this is his first film. He stated that the story developed after he shared certain incidents he had seen and heard with director Ranjith Kumar Gowda. He said the film features a large cast along with several other artistes in the team and that he hopes the film will provide opportunities for them. He also said he intends to produce more films in the future.
Actor Vasishta Simha said he agreed to act in the film mainly because of the writing and the way each character was developed. He said the story is based on several incidents that occurred in the surrounding region and that he found it realistic and relatable. He added that although it is a gangster story, the film also contains values. Simha said he is playing a mass role in the film after a long time and that this is his third film with Ravishankar.
Ravishankar said he plays the role of a narrator in the film and that the story progresses through his character. He said he liked the clarity in the narration when director Ranjith Kumar Gowda explained the story. Sushmita Bhat plays the female lead opposite Vasishta Simha. The cast also includes Ravishankar, Achyuth Kumar, Swaraj Shetty, Sharath Lohitashwa, Tara, Bala Rajwadi and Yash Shetty in key roles.
The film has music by Shashank Sheshagiri, cinematography by Venus Nagaraj Murthy and editing by Pavan Gowda. Pavan Kumar Udupi is the executive producer.
