Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Apr 19: Film industry has always beckoned talented and passionate people from diverse fields of the glamour industry be it beauty, music, modelling, actingor choreography. Sandalwood, as the Kannada film industry is known, has seen many talented Mangalureans showcasing their prowess. In the process they have earned name, fame and riches and have left an indelible mark in the industry. With many role models to look up to, now Sandalwood has been witnessing an influx of fresh crop of talented youngsters from Kudla who are adventurous, enterprising and with a strong appetite for risk taking. This includes Mangalurean Harry Praveen Correa, who is making his debut in Sandalwood both as producer and actor in the soon to be released Kannada movie "Katha Vichitra".

That Harry is going to take Sandalwood by storm in no exaggeration as three Kannada movies starring him are slated for release in the year 2016, a rarity for someone who is just debuting in the tinsel town and that too without a filmy background. It is going to be a sensational debut because connoisseurs of films will get to see Harry in a complex and unlikely rolein his home production "Katha Vichitra", which will also be his debut movie. The character gives enough scope for Harry to exhibit his persona - six-pack toned muscular but lean body, coupled with good looks and a booming baritone to go with it. "I have worked hard on my body giving up some of my favourite food and completely changing my diet and eating pattern to suit the role. At the end of the day I feel the sacrifice is worth the effort because it reflects in the character I portray", he says with a chivalrous smile. And there are no prizes for guessing his favourite actor – Rambo Sylvester Stallone.

About his character, Harry points out that it has its own unique charm and will appeal to everyone in general. "Anybody from the middle or lower middle class family can relate to the character I play and come out feeling oh ... it could be me and it may make people feel good or bad. Nonetheless, it is sure to touch the hearts of many", Harry assures. A self-confessed movie buff who loves watching movies of all genres he says "people who watch lot of movies can easily act in movies".

Though Kannada flick "Bhuvanam Sharanam" was supposed to be Harry’s debut film, destiny willed otherwise and his home production "Katha Vichitra" will be his first among the three releases this year. "Katha Vichitra" is produced by Harry and Karen Correa under the banner Sketch Pencil Creations and is scheduled to be released by the end of May or in the first week of June. "I think it is going to be a dreamdebut for me because it is my home production. "Katha Vichitra" has a tailor-made role for me, which is quite uniquebecause such a character has not been portrayed in Kannada cinema before. It is a complex character with lot of shades. In "Bhuvanam Sharanam" I have essayed the role of a villain", says a confident Harry. In the third movie "Srinivas Kallyana", which is also in post production stage, Harry plays a small character, but with a touch of comic.

Katha Vichitra (KV) has been creating quite a flutter in the Kannada film industry because most of the people involved in the movie are a young bunch of newcomers. With fresh blood and fresh ideas KV is expected to appeal to all age groups. "The main allure of the movie will be the raw energy it exudes", says Harry. The film is directed by Anup Antony, who is from the advertising background and KV will be his debut in the film industry just like Harry. Anup has also written the story, screenplay and dialogues for the movie. The leading role is played by Harshavardhan, a Bangalore-based Mangalurean. The leading lady of the movie is Anu Chinnappa, of "Lifu Super" fame. Cinematographer is Abilash Kalathi of Kenda Sampige fame. Editor is Nagendra Urs, son of actor late Sundara Krishna Urs. Sathish Brahmavar, who has done 12 Tulu movies and innumerable Kannada Movies, is the Production/Film Manager.

The film in shot in a 60-day schedule in Mangaluru and Bangalore in December-January and now, it is in the post production stage and Harry is quite upbeat about the movie in general. Harry, who works in Doha, plans to premier the movie in Doha Qatar under the patronage of Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC), Doha. Though his mother tongue is Konkani Harry chose Kannada to produce his first film because of its wide appeal and also Karnataka people irrespective of their religion or mother tongue can speak and understand Kannada. If the people of DK and especially Daiji readers watch and support "Katha Vichitra", Harry says, he will not hesitate to return the love of his Kudlaiites by making movies in Tulu Konkani and also in Kodava.

Harry’s favourite punchline is "if you have a dream, do not rest until you realize that dream" and says "It is my dream to produce a Konkani movie that can really make a huge impact on the society. I am waiting for the opportune time and for the support of good producers". By producing this movie Harry wants to say "if you believe in yourself and if you want to contribute tocinema, don’t stop. All it takes is one important project to make the first impression". Harry who is a talented singer shot into fame in 2014 when he was first runner up at the Gulf Voice of Mangaluru 2014 (GVOM). He says GVOM gave him an opportunity and it proved to be the perfect launch pad that heralded the arrival of Harry in the showbiz.

Harry who got into the film industry without a godfather says that it was his schoolmate and friend Music Director Raghavendra Thane (Proprietor of Thancos Natural Ice cream) who informed him that the team of "Bhuvanam Sharanam" directed by Anup Antony was looking for someone to portray the role of a villain. Raghavendra, who knew about Harry’s interest in acting suggested he try his luck. Though it is said that opportunity doesn’t knock twice, luck came searching for Harry for the second time and this time he grabbed the opportunity, thus fulfilling his long term ambition. It was during the shooting the idea of producing "Katha Vichitra" took shape and has now become a reality.

In fact opportunity had come knocking to Harry when he was studying Hotel Management in Bangalore. Krishnappa Uppuru of the award winning Tulu film "Mari Bale" fame, who was known to the family, had approached him for the leading role in that movie. He could not go against the wishes of his mother and therefore had to subdue his aspirations of becoming an actor. He felt disappointment enveloping him when he watched the movie ‘Mari Bale’ thinking that the character could have been him if he had not rejected the offer and vowed that one day he will get into sandalwood. That moment of reckoning has come for Harry now says ‘"Whatever I am today is due to the grace of the almighty and the silent but strong support from my spouse". Harry’s wife Karen Sunitha has been the pillar of support to him because it was she who egged him on to practice singing and take part in GVOM singing competition. It’s Karenwho strictly controlled his diet six months prior to shooting and help Harry get that envious chiselled body.

Let us support this Kudla hunk and encourage him to climb the ladder of name, fame and fortune and wish him success in his endeavours.