Twist in the tale

Another romance Akash with Daisy Bopanna.

Hero Akash sent in an invite for the climax shoot of his debut directorial venture, Sweetheart, produced by R. J. Rathnavath under the Devi Movies banner, at Yadagirigutta. Heroines Daisy Bopanna, Suhasini and other actors are waiting near the temple precincts for their turn to emote. Cinematographer Jack C. John, sitting on the crane, is canning the arrival of a luxury sedan. Ace villain Rahul Dev is about to alight from the car. Akash briefs the scene to him. Rahul, draped in silk, looked like any other rich devotee paying a visit to the temple. But his agenda seems to be something else.

In the next sequence that follows after a few long minutes taken to relocate the camera positions, an argument ensues between the hero and the villain. His henchmen (the stunt actors in disguise) have arrived by then. It is time for the stunt director Nandu master to take over the mantle from Akash. The action block follows between the hero and the villain and his gang.

We understand, as the scene progresses, that Rahul and his gang are involved in hafta deals in the area. In an earlier scene, they were stopped by our Good Samaritan hero. So, now, the villain seeks revenge.

The film starts and ends at the temple.

“These incidents form part of the sub plot. But the main theme is a distinct love story with a fresh treatment of screenplay,” informs Akash during the tea break. The story revolves around the protagonist’s search for true love. He seems to be enjoying his dual role as a director and an actor.

We spot the two heroines. Daisy Bopanna’s Kannada film, Galipata, was a big hit. The Garam Masala girl is making her debut in Telugu. Chantigaadu Suhasini is also one of the heroines. Lead heroine Tamanna is missing from the climax portions, we wonder. Akash throws a smile, keeping her part in suspense.

Akash is introducing music director Nari Raj from Khammam. Two of the six songs were recently filmed at Bangkok, each one featuring Daisy and Suhasini with the hero. He is happy that Raj bagged another film. “He is brilliant”, he says. There is room for innovative re-recording too with the narrative taking different shapes. As the details are reeled out, the comedians enter the location. ‘Sathyam’ Rajesh, ‘Chitram’ Srinu, ‘Chitram’ Basha, Siva Reddy, Mallikarjuna Rao.

The gang is headed by Brahmanandam. Chalapati Rao plays a role in the climax. Akash wears the director’s cap and discusses the scene with them. The hero establishes his authority over the villain with renewed confidence as the shoot re-commences. The climax fight is planned for five days. All that the determined Akash seems to want is to get back the kind of success he had tasted with Anandam.

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