Special Correspondent

Mangalore, Sep 1: Many of us may not be aware that Mangalorean lass multi-lingual actor Ester Nornoha is quite a sensation in Tollywood (Telugu Cinema). After the release of her second Telugu film “Bheemavaram Bullodu” in February this year which became a hit she has become a craze in the Telugu industry. Though 7 films-old with movies in Hindi, Telugu and even one Kannada movie to her credit, Mangaloreans did not get an opportunity to see her onscreen persona because none of these movies got released here. She made her debut with the Bollywood movie “Quayamat Hi Quyamat” which was released in August 2012.

All that is going to change now as her first major Kannada “Usirigintha”.... Neena Hattira” produced under the prestigious banner of E K Enterprises (Mungaru Male fame) is slated for release on October 2, 2014. Though she debuted in Sandalwood with “Naavika” a hero oriented film released in August 2012, where she did not have a full-fledged role, “Usirigintha” ... is going to be her real launch pad that might help her find a strong toehold in the Kannada film industry. The shooting of the movie which was initially named “NIMHANS” had begun and 2012 and production was completed in 2013. But it got embroiled in controversies pertaining to its title and after a four month court battle the movie has a new name “usirigintha” ... neene hattira.

Ester Noronha was in Mangalore for a short period of three days taking time off from her busy schedule to visit her family. In an exclusive interview she spoke to Daijiworld about her soon to be released Kannada flick “Usirigintha”... Neene Hattira, which she feels will give an opportunity for Mangaloreans to see her on the big screen.

Ester who is quite ecstatic about her major Kannada release is pinning her hopes on this musical romantic love triangle, the audio of which will be released on September 1, 2014. What has emboldened her spirits is the fact that her first major Kannada movie is produced under the prestigious banner of E K Enterprises of Mungaru Male fame and directed by Soorya who worked with such established and well known names in the Kannada film industry like Yograj Bhat and Shashank of “Moggina Manasu” and Jayateertha of “Olave Mandara” as Assistant. “An added attraction is that Soorya is debuting as a hero and it is a big budget film involving some of the best names in Kannada film industry”, she says euphorically. Further she adds “Working with Soorya has been a great experience and I realised that he has executed what he had promised. There is no difference in the story he had narrated to me in the beginning, the shooting process and how the film has shaped as a final product”.

Ester is keenly anticipating the release of this film as it has generated lot of curiosity even before its release. She says “it is going to be my first movie which will get released in Mangalore unlike my other Hindi or Telugu movies which were not released in Mangalore. Though there were posters of “Bheemavaram Bullodu” in Mangalore nothing actually happened. I am hopeful my family, relatives, wellwishers and fans will now be able to see my work for the first time which will also answer many a question that constantly comes up when people ask me what I am doing in the film industry”.

The movie has six songs two of which are sung by Sonu Nigam and one song by Shawn. Interestingly Sonu Nigam’s sister is making her debut as a playback singer through this movie. Esther believes the songs perfectly complement the youth-centric romantic love story of the movie. “The USP of the film is its songs and once the people listen to these songs I am sure they will flock to the theatres to watch the movie”.

Apart from Ester the movie also stars Tamil actress Vidhya. But Ester reveals that she is the one playing the role of “Neene” (you) as the title of the movie indicates. Ester says getting this prestigious film was like a dream come true for her though the standard of film making in Sandalwood is not in the same league as that of Bollywood or Tollywood. “Compared to Bollywood Kannada industry is quite small and the working atmosphere is not the same. Initially I found it little difficult to adjust to the working style here. But I must confess that this is not a typical Kannada movie. It is a big budget and ‘A’ class film done with a complete professional approach”, she pointed out.

Ester was astonished when she was first approached for the role. She says Director Surya who has also written the script was in search of an actress to fit in the role he had created for this movie. He had heard about Ester and the fact that she is Kannadiga was what worked in her favour. “He contacted and asked whether I was interested in working in Kannada movies. He narrated the story and since I liked the story I agreed to do the film”.

Talking about her role in this movie she says it is romantic love triangle the story of which can be compared to that of Hindi flick “Tere Naam” “because the hero is crazily and obsessively in love with the girl”.

Now that “Usirigintha’ has created lot of hype and the end-product looks like a sure-fire blockbuster Ester has been getting offers galore from Kannada film industry, where many wannabe heroines are jostling for the vacant top slolt. But Ester is not going to grasp the run on the mill kind of roles coming on her way. “I want the industry to watch my work, watch my performance and then sign me. I don’t want people to presuppose that since I have done this particular movie I can also do any kind of movie. That kind of assumption should not become the measure”.

Ester is happy with the way her filmy career has shaped so far. It is indeed a tremendous achievement that she could find a foothold in Bollywood without the help of a godfather. Though she could not make much headway in Bollywood she has created a flutter in the Telugu film industry with her two releases establishing her in Telugu. She got a big break when she was cast by well known director Teja in the movie “1000 Abaddalu” (thousand lies) a comedy which was a moderate hit. This was followed by “Bheemavaram Bullodu” released this year which was declared a hit. She became an overnight sensation in Telugu industry and it is this movie that brought her name, fame and stardom. She is now based in Hyderabad most of the time where she is shooting for another Telugu movie “Jalsaravyudu” opposite Telugu hero Srikanth. Now she is well versed in Telugu language. She has also signed a Hindi movie “Storyyaan” to be directed by Arshad Siddiqui opposite Irfan Khan.

The future looks bright for this twinkling Mangalorean star who speaks chaste Konkani with fellow Konkani people whenver she comes across the. She does not carry the aura of being a cine star and is simple and affable. .

Let us hope Kannadigas will embrace this Mangalorean beauty in a big way by ensuring the success of “Usirigintha”.... Neene Hattira.