Sports dramas have been quite popular in Bollywood lately, and they are slowly catching on in Kannada cinema too. Case in point being Sudeep-starrer Pailwaan (set for release on September 12), followed by Arjun Gowda, starring Prajwal Devaraj. Director Lucky Shankar has now put to rest rumours about his film being inspired by the Telugu superhit Arjun Reddy, starring Vijay Devarakonda, and says Prajwal, who plays the titular role, will be seen as a kickboxer in the film.

“Sports forms the story’s backdrop, and Arjun Gowda (the titular character) takes up kickboxing as his profession, and becomes a motivator among youth. How his lifestyle helps him fight for nature and bring justice to society will form the crux of our film,” explains Shankar. 

The director, who took on the challenge of choreographing the boxing scenes himself, got the help of kickboxer Girish Gowda. The national champion from Karnataka, a cancer survivor, is currently training several Sandalwood actors, including Abhishek and Chiranjeevi Sarja.

“When we narrated the subject, to Prajwal, he referred me to Girish. I took tips from him for the scenes, which gave a realistic touch to the character,” says Shankar, adding, “In fact, Girish himself will appear in a few scenes in Arjun Gowda.”

Almost 90 per cent of the film’s shooting has been done, including the songs. The team is now left with around 10 days of talkie portions to complete, which will be shot outside India. The director is waiting for Prajwal’s dates to plan the schedule, which will see the team head for an offshore shoot sometime in September. 

Arjun Gowda is made under Ramu Films, and the makers are targeting an October release. With cinematography by Jai Anand, it features Priyanka Thimmesh as the female lead.