One of the finest villains on the silver screen and a well-admired human being off-screen, Natabhayankara Vajramuni, is brought to life once again in Yalakunni – My Name is Vajramuni. For certain portions of the film, music composer Dharma Vish has utilized AI technology to recreate Vajramuni’s inimitable dialogues, providing a thrilling surprise for the audience in theaters.
In Yalakunni, the sensational star Komal Kumar plays a dual role as both father and son. The father’s appearance, enhanced with striking makeup, bears a strong resemblance to Vajramuni. The younger version of Komal Kumar’s character is portrayed by real-life grandson of Vajramuni, Akarsh, who embodies the role with commendable style, according to the team members who spoke at the pre-release event.
Produced by Anusuya Komal Kumar and Sahana Murthy under the banners Soundarya Cine Combines and Narasimha Cinemas, the story, screenplay, lyrics, and dialogues are written and directed by the new talent, NR Pradeep.
“When director NR Pradeep narrated the story to me, I initially found the role quite challenging. However, the director was insistent. The first time I donned the Vajramuni get-up and looked in the mirror, I couldn’t recognize myself. I believe it was only possible with his blessings. In my 33-year career, I had the privilege of meeting Vajramuni during the shooting of Bhairava,” Komal Kumar shared.
“My role in this film has two distinct shades. Vajramuni’s grandson, Akarsh, also plays a pivotal role. Nisarga Appanna is the heroine. The cast also includes Yathiraj (my brother’s son), Jayasimha Musuri, Mayur Patel, Sadhukokila, Duttanna, Mitra, Tabala Nani, Shivraj KR Pete, Manasi Sudhir, Suman Nagarkar, and many more.”
The film’s music, composed by Dharma Vish, has already captivated audiences. Dharma Vish, who has a solid background in music with work on 56 Hindi films and several Kannada films, has composed four songs for Yalakunni. He expressed his admiration for Komal Kumar, saying, “Komal fits the Vajramuni get-up so well; working with him felt like working with Vajramuni himself.” Three of the songs were penned by the director, with one written by Pramod Maravante. The singers include Antony Das, Anirudh Shastri, Naveen Sajju, Shashank Seshagiri, and Dharma Vish himself.
The film, produced by Mrs. Anusuya Komal Kumar and Sahana Murthy, features cinematography by Halesh, editing by KM Prakash, and choreography by Murali Master. Sahana Murthy also plays a notable role. The re-recording and digital intermediate (DI) work were done at Jaggesh’s studio. Actor Komal Kumar praised the team’s effort, stating that the film has shaped up well with everyone’s cooperation, and is set for release on October 25.
“I have worked as an assistant director on several projects, but this is my directorial debut. I am grateful to Komal Kumar and Sahana Murthy for the opportunity. I also extend my thanks to Komal Kumar, Anusuya Komal Kumar, Jaggesh Sir, and Vajramuni’s family. Fans are already thrilled with Komal Kumar’s Vajramuni look,” director NR Pradeep said, adding that the film was made possible through the collective efforts of artists and technicians.
The entire team contributed to making this film a success. Producers Anusuya Komal Kumar and Sahana Murthy expressed their hope that audiences will support Yalakunni when it releases on October 25. In fact, Anusuya Komal Kumar humorously shared that it was difficult to look her husband in the eye when he was in Vajramuni’s get-up on set.
Jayasimha Musuri, son of Musuri Krishnamurthy, who played the iconic role of Connection Kalappa in Paduvarahalli Pandavaru, shared that he reprises his father’s famous role in Yalakunni.
Debutant Nisarga Appanna, Mayur Patel, Mitra, cinematographer Halesh, Thammanna (of Thithi fame), Sahana Murthy, and co-producer Shanker also addressed the media during the event.
Vajramuni’s grandson, Akarsh, who captivated everyone by reciting his grandfather’s iconic dialogue from Prachanda Ravana, spoke about his role in Yalakunni and how it has been an emotional experience for him.
