‘I don’t want to be called a fluke’ 

Tharun Sudhir’s debut directorial Chowka was released few months ago in February and it was one of the most appreciated films of 2017. The film ran for 125 days, and the celebration of its success was recently organised with Darshan, producer Yogi Dwarakish and rest of cast and technicians of the film. 

Tharun agrees that it was a “delayed celebration” but the team was waiting for Darshan who is busy with his string of films. “The actor, despite his busy schedule, took time off to be part of the celebrations and he personally gave away the shields to technicians, in appreciation,” says Tharun.

But why does a 125-day run matter today, when the dynamics of filmmaking and its business have changed? “If this film had been released nine years ago, it would have been considered a silver-jubilee film. Also we did not promote or push it in any way. It ran on its own steam in a couple of multiplex screens in Bengaluru and in Mysuru,” Tharun replies.

Tharun’s second directorial will be a Darshan-starrer again. While it was earlier reported that it maybe a remake, the director clarifies that he is scripting an original for the star, and is therefore taking more time with it than was expected. “It is not an easy subject to handle and the story seems to be demanding more time. Also, for me, as a director, the second film is as important as the first. Otherwise, people may say that my first cinema was a hit by fluke. I don’t want to known as a fluke,” he says.
 
The change in plan, to work on an original script and not a remake, was done after the actor showed interest. “Darshan wanted me to direct him even before the release of Chowka and he wanted me to do a remake of Veeram and I had agreed to it. But when the movie was released, Darshan saw my potential, and he himself suggested that I should go for an original subject. He allowed me to work on a script, approving a one-liner. His decision was a blessing in disguise for me,” says Tharun, adding, “I am not against remakes, and I have worked with my brother Nanda Kishore who has done a few. But I did not want my second film to be a remake and I know I can come up with good, original scripts.”