Gultoo hero Naveen Shankar signs third project in row

Shankar Bahaddhur, who has played lead roles in Ondhu Preethiya Kathe, Chitramandiradalli, Sadagara, Marali Manege and Margaret, will now be making his directorial debut in a yet-to-be-titled film. And he has roped in Gultoo hero, Naveen Shankar, to play the lead in the political-crime thriller.

For Naveen, whose first film is heading towards a 100-day run, this is the third project in his kitty. The actor, who will start shooting his second film from the end of July, will be juggling the two projects.

“Naveen is a close friend of mine, and we have known each other from our theatre days. I had discussed my film with him quite a while ago. Three days before the release of Gultoo, I had narrated the storyline to him. Both of us were on the same page and decided to go ahead with it,” says Shankar.

The film is likely to go on floors in August post-Independence Day, and Naveen will be sharing screen space with Sumanth Bhat, who played the lead role in Loudspeaker, a film that is yet to hit the screens. “My film is about two guys with a political background, who have been hired to commit a crime. Their prep for the big game forms the storyline of my film,” says Shankar, unwilling to share anything further about his political drama. “Back in the day, political drama was confined to a certain area. Today, irrespective of age, it happens on every street. That’s why the film’s subject is relevant,” he adds.

The film’s music score is by Gurukiran, who Shankar feels will be able to blend in the diverse backgrounds of the two main characters. “In my film, Naveen comes with a North Karnataka background, while Sumanth Bhat hails from the coastal belt. Gurukiran with his knack will blend both their stories with his tunes.”

Cinematographer Abhilash Kalathi, who has been roped in for this film, has worked in Katha Vichitra. He’s also the operating cameraman in Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s upcoming Thackrey.