Mangalore: Actress Paki Hegde's Heart Beats for Mother Tongue Tulu
Florine Roche
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Mar 24: Bhojpuri star and heroine of the soon-to-be-released Tulu movie “Bangarda Kural” Kudlada kudi Paki Hegde looked resplendent in her purple salwar sans make up when we met her in her hotel on Saturday March 24 morning. Though she is a star in Bhojpuri film scene she showed no star tantrums and was quite forthcoming to share her views of working in Tulu film and with Tulu artistes.
Paki is in the city with the rest of the crew to participate in the music CD release of Tulu movie of Ram Shetty “Bangarda Kural” scheduled for March 24, and also to take part in other promotional events of the film. Paki Hegde is the lead heroine of this film, which has actor Shivadhwaj as the lead hero. The movie is scheduled for release on May 4, 2012.
Speaking to daijiworld.com about her experience of working in her first Tulu cinema Paki expressed her delight saying she is extremely happy to work in a movie made in her mother tongue. “While accepting a role I am very choosy about the people I work with - the director, the production house and such other details. I know Ram Shetty who has been the stunt master of most of my Bhojpuri films and I knew him as a technician. When Ram Shetty suggested I work in a Tulu film I did not know how to react because I did not know anything about the Tulu film industry. Ram Shetty told me that he is producing a film and wanted me to act in it in the lead role as part of my contribution to my mother tongue. He narrated to me the storyline and I liked it and readily accepted”, she narrates.
Paki Hegde says in the move “Bangarda Kural” she plays the role of Ambika, who is highly religious and is often saved by goddess Ambika Annpoorneshwari whenever she is in trouble or faces adversities in life. “Acting in this movie was doubly challenging because due to budget constraints of Tulu and other local language films what we normally shoot in 40 or more days had to be completed in just 15 or 20 days here without compromising on quality. Moreover I am working with one of the best technical teams headed by a technician who has worked for Yash Chopra’s films. Even working with Ram Shetty who has more than 4 decades of working in Hindi films, has been a wonderful opportunity”, she reveals.
She expressed confidence that “Bangarda Kural” may become a super hit Tulu movie and set a new records. “I have a gut feeling that this movie would make a mark in Tulu film industry as I am aware of the sentiments and feelings of people with regard to role of religion in their lives. I am sure everybody will watch the film as it has relevance to our lives. I urge people to come to watch the film with their family and I am sure we will not let them down in any way”, she promised.
Though Tulu film industry is in its nascent stage considering that very few films have been made she opined that when she started even the Bhojpuri film filed was in the initial years of growth. “Over the last 4 years Bhojpuri film industry has made gigantic strides to emerge as a promising film industry. I am sure Tulu film industry also will undergo a similar kind of experience to make its presence felt in the film world”, she predicted.
Paki points out that music of the film by music director V Manohar is the USP of the film. “There are seven songs and all these songs have great variations and showcase the culture of this land in its veriest form. The songs are a combination of romance, melody, dandiya and devotional songs. When we were performing I could see all of us were in tears. Everyone was so connected with the songs and at the end we felt like a complete family”, Paki recounts.
Though a busy heroine in Bhojpuri film industry Paki Hegde says she did not find it difficult to give bulk dates to Ram Shetty. As she was told about the project in advance she could arrange her schedule in a way that could enable her to give bulk dates Ram Shetty.
Paki Hegde is also making her debut in Bollywood as she is shooting for the movie titled “Woman from the East”, which is yet to be released but is winning her critical acclaim as an actor.
Paki Hegde says she is inclined to work for the progress of Tulu movie industry. “I will do anything to promote this movie (Bangarda Kural) as I am happy about doing this film. I will cherish this experience of working with veterans of the Tulu theatre and movie industry”, she says as a parting shot.