Talented actor, thoughtful filmmaker, and intelligent director Harish Raj has entered the golden jubilee year of his life, turning 50 on July 26. Of his 50 years, he has dedicated nearly 30 years to the Kannada film industry, television, theatre, and advertising films.
Marking his milestone birthday, Harish Raj shared an interesting development regarding his upcoming film. Following the suggestion of the Regional Censor Board, he has changed the title of his directorial venture, in which he also plays the lead, from ‘Venkateshaya Namaha’ to ‘Love Cocktail’. Such a change at the recommendation of the Censor Board is a rare occurrence in the Kannada film industry.
While filmmakers are often asked to make cuts, mutes, or modifications before receiving certification, it is unusual for the Board to recommend a change of title. Along with the title change, the film received just one mute before certification.
Although the new title, ‘Love Cocktail’, may remind audiences of Darling Krishna’s popular ‘Love Mocktail’ franchise, Harish Raj clarified that his film is entirely different.
“The title reflects the story, which revolves around the love that comes into the protagonist’s life through seven different girls. Hence, we finally zeroed in on ‘Love Cocktail’,” he explained. The film explores the concept of love phobia. It follows the journey of software professional that becomes disillusioned with love and develops a fear of relationships. How he overcomes this emotional turmoil and eventually finds a fulfilling life forms the crux of the story. Harish Raj said the film carries shades of the storytelling styles of veteran filmmaker-actor Kashinath and Navarasa Nayaka Jaggesh, both of whom have been major inspirations to him.
On the eve of his 50th birthday, Harish Raj hosted a media interaction at SRV Theatre, where he unveiled the film’s trailer and two songs. One is the title track, “Venkatesha Venkatesha…”, written by Bahaddur Chetan Kumar when the film carried its previous title, and the other is the melodious “Nasunagu…”, penned by Pramod Maravanthe. Both songs have been composed by Srinivasamurthy.
Producer Janardhan expressed complete confidence in Harish Raj’s abilities and said that he entrusted him with the overall responsibility for the project.
Veteran actress Abhinaya, who has been a familiar face in the industry for over four decades, plays the role of a village elder in the film. Recalling the days of the popular television serial ‘Hogli Bidi Saar’, she described Harish Raj as a “romantic star,” correcting those who often refer to him as the “Jumping Star.”
“I have a small but interesting role in the film,” she said.
Music director Srinivasamurthy, for whom this is the second feature film as a composer, revealed that the film has three songs, with one being reserved for audiences to experience directly in theatres.
Kannada writer Rajashekhar, who appears in a comedy role, thanked Harish Raj for fulfilling an old promise by casting him in the film.
Colorist Vinay, along with Abhinandan, Prashanth, Aradhana, and others, also addressed the gathering during the trailer and song launch event.
