Stuntmaster-turned-director Ravi Varma is set to work with Shivarajkumar for his directorial debut to be made under Jayanna Combines. Titled Rustum, the film’s muhurath is planned for April 24, on Dr Rajkumar’s birth anniversary. Ravi Varma, who has roped in Anoop Seelin as the music director and Mufti cinematographer, Naveen Kumar, is now in the process of finalising the cast.
Sources close to the film’s crew tell us that the first-time director has found Rustum’s heroine in Shraddha Srinath. The makers were specific about roping in a Kannada heroine and Sharaddha fit the bill perfectly. Meanwhile, the U Turn heroine, who was last seen in Operation Alamelamma, having completed the shoot for Godhra, has been waiting to be part of a good Kannada project. Sources say that Shraddha liked the film’s story and has okayed the project.
The actor is currently going through a very good phase in her career. Having made a niche for herself in the south Indian industry, Shraddha has just stepped into Bollywood with director Tigmanshu Dhulia’s film, Milan Talkies. The film also has Ali Fazal whose film was recently nominated for an Oscar. She has also caught the right kind of attention in tge Tamil industry with her name being associated with good projects and top heroes.
And now she could soon be working with Shivarajkumar in Kannada. The makers are expected to come out with an official announcement once everything is finalised.
After experimenting with different genres, this film will be Shraddha’s first big commercial venture in Kannada. It will have the Century star playing the role of a police officer.
Shivarajkumar, who is currently juggling between shooting for The Villain and Kavacha, will next proceed with Rustum and Lakki’s Gopal’s upcoming project, SRK.
Meanwhile, there has been a strong buzz about Ravi Varma also looking to bring in one of the top Bollywood actors for his film, and the names of Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpai, Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty have been doing the rounds. "The makers are in the process of approaching actors. They are looking at someone who can fully commit to the project," says our source.