This is a rare and special case. The life of underworld don Jayaraj after his demise is now being brought to the silver screen by his son, Ajith Jayaraj. The film focuses on the aftermath of Jayaraj’s death, produced by Sugur Kumar and directed by Anand Raj.
Prominent actors Vinod Prabhakar and Srinagara Kitty attended the trailer launch event at MMB Legacy, wishing the handsome Ajith Jayaraj success and prosperity in his career.
Sugu Kumar, who has over two decades of experience in the publicity department, expressed his happiness with how the film is shaping up.
Director and writer Anand Raj explained that after Jayaraj’s death, financial dealings and market rackets were rampant. The screenplay draws from stories heard, seen, and read during that time. Jayaraj’s son, Ajith, plays the lead role. Anand Raj shared that when he first met Ajith, he resembled a “chocolate boy,” but after two months of intense rehearsals, Ajith was able to convincingly portray the role of his father.
The film portrays fictitious characters based on those from that era. It also includes themes of motherly love, tender romance, and the importance of friendship. The director added, “If you want to see how Bangalore was in the late 1980s, you should watch our movie. The story starts in 1989 and connects to the present day.” Rajavardhan, Sarath Lohitashwa, Petrol Prasanna, Kishan, Sonu Patil, Sachin Purohit, and Miko Nagaraj bring life to the characters.
Ajith Jayaraj admitted he was nervous about playing his father’s role. “I agreed when the director asked me, but when I stood in front of the camera, I was trembling. After a few days of practice, I felt more confident. The final scene, which I shot first, gave me the courage I needed.” Ajith appears in two distinct roles: as both his father and himself. He also recalled that it was actor Dhananjay who recommended him for the role of his father.
Actress Nivishka Patil shared her experiences during the shoot, including feeling discomfort while Ajith was filming a scene under a bridge amidst garbage. The film’s cinematography is by Arjun Accot, with music composed by Vijeth Manjesh and background music by Alex.
The saying “Only a son can fill his father’s shoes” seems fitting for Johnty: Son of Jayaraj.
