By Joshwa D'souza
Daijiworld Media Network
Mangaluru, Sep 1: Motivated by the wonderful response received in the Gulf countries, the team of the movie 'Ek Aslyar Ek Na’ is all set to release the movie in their homeland. . The first Konkani movie to have created history by being released in Dubai and some other countries is hitting the silver screens in Coastal Karnataka this Friday September 2.
The movie was premiered in Dubai on May 20 with four shows and later on was premiered in Kuwait in international school on May 27. Then the shows were arranged in Abu Dhabi followed by Sharjah and Qatar.
The team comprising of Producer and actor Frank Fernandes, director, lead actor Pradeep Barboza, Paladka and production convenor Alphonse D'Souza speaking to Daijiworld shared the glimpses of the journey of 'Ek Aslyar Ek' so far.
"After the few premiers, we released the movie in Israel on July 30 and responding to the demand we did another show on August 26. Everywhere the shows were houseful. We are receiving the requests to release the movie from Konkani associations. We will release it in Canada on December 4, We have received many calls from Australia, USA and many other places. The movie will be premiered in England in September or October due to few technical reasons. We have not released the movie in Bahrain and Muscat and will release it after we release in our motherland", says Frank Fernandes, the producer of five movies in Konkani, Kannada and Tulu, reminding that at few places the audience have requested for the second screening.
IN Mangaluru the movie will be released in Prabhath and Big cinemas on September 2(Four shows daily) along with Amarashri theatre in Moodbidri. The movie will be released in Udupi and Manipal Inox and BC Road Nakshatra on September 16.
While explaining as why the movie was premiered outside India first, director Pradeep Barboza said "All of us work for Konkani. Among the Konkani speaking people, we have Goans, people from Mangaluru, Udupi, Kundapur and Honnavar like that. All Konkani speaking people from these areas could watch the film in Gulf and other countries. It also created mouth to mouth publicity and people in India were curious to watch. Even though another Konkani movie along with ours got the benefit, we are happy for them as well. After all we all work for Konkani and must support each other."
When asked if the team intends to brand any actor for a particular type of character, Frank Fernandes says that there is a chance for creating less chances for the budding actors if we do so. For the major roles definitely we need more polished actors but we need to give chance for the new faces. “Hence through Daijiworld we auditioned many actors who belong to various countries including UK, Gulf countries, and from our own coastal Karnataka. We have tried to give platform to many new faces.” He adds.
On asked what is the present and future for the Konkani film speaking people he says that GSBs or Catholics, whoever raises his hand for Konkani must be supported. “Earlier it was tough to create awareness. Even though few movies got the state award, they failed to attract audience. The Konkani people must support the producers by watching the movie in the theatre. I do not want to make money. Even if I am able to regain my investment, that is enough for me. Why will a person produce a Konkani movie if he is not able to recover even the half of his investment?” Frank says.
“We as the Konkani producers and directors must work to improve our standards in the movies. We need not aim at Bollywood standards. If we are able to give something better than yesterday then the audience will not let us down." Frank advises.
When asked about showing the film to Konkani speaking people in Beltangady, Puttur, Karkal, Bengaluru, Goa and Maharashtra, Frank said that he has received telephone calls from Maharashtra and Goa. “After the scheduled dates in few parts, we will think of showing the movie in the places like Karkal, Belthangady etc.”
“Right now we have received the support from Daijiworld and the ICYM members of Mangaluru and Udupi. People are very eager to watch the movie. “ he said not forgetting to say that he will support every producer and the director who comes up with a very good story line and wants to produce a Konkani movie.
'Ek Aslyar Ek Na' is Pradeep Barboza's first Konkani film for which he has written the story and dialogues. A well-known personality in Konkani circles, he has vast experience of writing and staging several Konkani successful plays and has also played the lead role in this movie. Very promising actress Priya Menezes has played the lead female role. Some of the artistes include 'Memory' fame Richard Sequeira, Jerald Moras and Melwyn D Almeida the famous comedy trio of Konkani, John D'Silva who is already famous with Goan cinema too is in the cast.
The technical team comprise of 'Savari 2' Kannada movie fame D Shashikumar who has provided the cinematography. Music is by Vanil Veigas, lyrics are by Wilson Kateel. Singers are Prajoth D'Sa, Ashwin D'Costa, Priya Menezes, Jothsna Roshan and Anjana Padmanabha. Assistant direction are Stany Bela and Kishore Moodbidri while the film has been edited by awarding winning editor of 'Chandikori' fame Sujith Nayak. Stunts are by famous Kannada action director Mass Madha while choreography is by Akul, Girish and Rajesh Brahmavar.