Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Sep 12: The coastal entertainment landscape is set to witness a fresh cinematic venture as the muhurat of the upcoming Konkani feature film 'Wheel Chair' was held at Kalaangann in Shakthinagar here.
Subtitled 'A Different Love Story', the movie is being produced under the banner of Deepa Creations Film Production by Melwyn D’Souza from Angelore, Deepak D’Silva Paladka, and seasoned filmmaker Harry Fernandes Barkur. Fernandes is also helming the story, screenplay, dialogues, and direction for the project.
The parish priest of Cordel Church, Fr Clifford Fernandes, invoked divine blessings on the venture, wishing the cast and crew success. Sounding the ceremonial clapboard for the first shot, the president of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Stany Alvares, noted that the creative team’s deep understanding of audience sensibilities will ensure a strong impact in regional cinema.
Addressing the gathering, the founder of Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd, Walter Nandalike, emphasised the vital role of sustained publicity. He urged the cast members to stay committed through post-production promotions and called on the wider community to actively patronise regional films. Echoing this sentiment, the public relations officer of the Mangaluru diocese, Roy Castelino, observed that while Konkani cinema production has steadily grown, structured and aggressive marketing remains essential to secure theatrical box-office success.
Renowned coastal actor Aravind Bolar, who stars in the film, expressed his gratitude for the distinct role and urged local audiences to support Konkani releases with the same fervour shown to Tulu and Kannada movies.
Introducing the concept, director Harry Fernandes stated that 'Wheel Chair' explores a fresh narrative within the industry, balancing entertainment value with a meaningful moral. Co-producers Deepak Paladka and Melwyn D’Souza shared the project's journey, highlighting their shared dedication to the Konkani language and their confidence in Fernandes’ powerful script.
The dais was graced by prominent dignitaries and guests of honour, including the president of Mandd Sobhann, Louis Pinto; senior filmmaker Richard Castelino; the mother provincial of the Bethany Sisters, Sr Jyothi BS; NRI entrepreneurs Francis D’Souza and Naomi D’Souza; and known Goan artiste Prince Jacob, alongside the film's lead pair, Elton Mascarenhas and Salomi Alvares.