Stuntman-turned-director Ravi Varma ropes in Sakshi Chaudhary for Rustum

Sakshi Chaudhary, who has worked in Telugu and Tamil cinema, is making her Kannada debut with a special song in Rustum. For this track, stunt master-turned-director Ravi Varma has brought in ace dance choreographer Raju Sundaram.  

“It’s a totally new experience to work with Raju Sundaram. Fortunately, I had previously worked as an assistant with Raju’s father Mugur Sundaram when he directed a Kannada film. I have also collaborated with his brother Prabhudheva,” says Ravi, who recalls one of the master’s famous Kannada tracks, Banthu Banthu Current Banthu. 

Rustum features Shivarajkumar in the lead, along with Shraddha Srinath, Vivek Oberoi, Rachita Ram and Mayuri. The antagonists are played by actors who have acted in other language films. Ravi says that even though this song is touted to be a special number, the track will blend in with the story. “This song will appear first in the film. It was planned well in advance,” says the director, whose film has Mahendra Simha as DoP. 

The song Kabbina hal maaroke antha Mandayadinda bandidini has lyrics written by AP Arjun, to music scored by Anoop Seelin, and is currently being shot in Bengaluru. “We are planning to bring in Ganta Venkata Lakshmi to render her voice for this song,” says Ravi.