Did you ever think that the actor-director behind Ondu Motteya Kathe (OMK), Raj B Shetty, would be directing gangster film? Well, that’s exactly what the one-film-old director is currently busy working on. “I need to bring out another good film. It shoudn’t be seen as just the director of OMK making another film-- that’s why I have taken up this subject,” says Raj.
With his first film, not only did Raj strike gold at the box office, but he also won millions of hearts with his interesting story, filmmaking and stellar performance. With everyone eager to know more about his upcoming project, he reveals a little about it to us.
“I am here in Mangaluru at my friend’s place writing the script for my next directorial,” says Raj, who interestingly adds that the gangster genre is very close him. “I am a big Martin Scorsese fan. Even if the subject is gangsters, it is still about human stories, and I want to explore this.” He tells us he is using the coastal belt as the setting for his story. “Geographically, Mangaluru, even though a strange place, is ideal for exploring a subject such as the sand mafia.”
Initially, he had a thriller in mind, but was not in a position to go ahead with it because the entire film needed to be shot in the rain, he tells us. “I am not ready with the cast, and the entire production needed a lot of preparation. So I have decided to take up that project next year. However, I am determined to take up a project this year, for which I need four months of preparation,” says Raj.
The script of the new film is ready till the interval, the director says, adding, “OMK was an accident, which I have said earlier as well. I didn’t think I was good at writing romantic comedies, but I pulled it off. I want to try different genres and characterisation, irrespective of whether they are hits or flops.”
Meanwhile, Raj has kept himself busy as an actor with projects such as Turtu Nirgamana, Ammacchi Emba Nenapu, and Mayabazaar. “Currently, I don’t have the urge to make a film like OMK, but I might in the future. For now, expect some gang wars coming your way,” he signs off.