Renowned Malayalam and Tamil actor Manoj K Jayan makes a formidable debut in Kannada cinema with ‘Rangasthala’, marking his return to Kannada after 18 years.
Life unfolds like a grand stage where various ups and downs, and diverse characters come and go. In a unique narrative, the title launch of the new movie ‘Rangasthala’ by Aghor Motion Pictures took place at MMB Legacy. Produced by Dr. Revanna, the event saw the presence of many political leaders, including Manjunath and Santhosh.
The producer of the film, Dr. Revanna, originally hails from a farming family. Despite not initially focusing on academics, he completed his degree at the insistence of his family. While working in a steel factory in Bhadravati, he was noticed for his height and recruited into the volleyball team. Eventually, he progressed from the district level to the state level, earning accolades. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded a doctorate. Although not deeply involved in cinema, his sons, Vinod Kumar Jai Keerthy and Vinay Kumar Jai Keerthy, started a successful business in America, which they now manage together with their parents. The film was approached with a strategic vision similar to a software company, focusing on artist selection and technology. Renowned Malayalam actor Manoj K Jayan was brought on board, with the final selection made by Vinod, who also expressed a desire to produce a volleyball-related film. Filming has already commenced.
This marks the directorial debut of young talent Ishwar Nitin. Nitin, a dental student turned filmmaker who studied cinema at L. V. Prasad Film Institute, has worked on several short films and feature films. This movie portrays rural society, with a storyline reflecting the reality of areas such as Puttur, Sulya, and Bhagad. Each character embodies a different mindset, depicting the dynamics of the theater hall. The film features a Yakshagana artist as the protagonist and a wildlife photographer as the heroine, with renowned Malayalam actor Manoj K. Jayan in a negative role. With 25 days of shooting already completed and 40% of the work done, the film’s title has been unveiled.
Vilok Raj, playing the lead, has been in the film industry for years and is set to deliver a transformative performance in ‘Rangasthala’, following his previous work in Girki. He underwent three months of training to portray a Yakshagana artist. Language authenticity is a key focus for the director.
Shilpa Kamath, from Mangalore, joins the cast after auditioning. She plays a wildlife photographer in the film. Malayalam actor Manoj Jebe adds comedic flair to the movie. Sandhya Arkere also showcases her talent in a lead role.
Manoj K. Jayan, a celebrated Malayalam actor with over 200 films to his credit, including Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu, plays a pivotal role in ‘Rangasthala’. Having won the Best Actor award twice in Malayalam cinema, he returns after 18 years in the role of an antagonist. His portrayal of a Malayalam character complements the film’s storyline. Speaking in Malayalam, he praised the divine power of Kannada language and expressed his admiration for Dr. Raj Kumar.
Enash Olivera handles cinematography, Judah Sandhy composes music for six songs, and Prabhakaran Ramu serves as the art director.
