Mahesh Danannavar is the driving force behind Gaalipata 2: Yogaraj Bhat

Established director Yogaraj Bhat may be helming Gaalipata 2 — starring Sharan, Pawan Kumar and Rishi in the lead — but he admits that the driving force behind the film is producer Mahesh Danannavar. “The idea and casting is by Mahesh,” says Yogaraj, about the producer, a Kannadiga from Belgaum, who also owns a cricket team. “He has all the qualities of becoming a hero, but turned producer,” says Yogaraj. 

In this conversation with CE, Mahesh talks about his debut venture Gaalipata 2. 

Keen to start in Kannada

He may be new to the Kannada industry, but the producer already has a Gujarati blockbuster, Shu Thayu? to his credit. Released in August 2018, the film made box-office history with the largest collection in Gujarati cinema till date. Mahesh is also producing a Hindi film featuring Vinay Pathak and Mona Singh, which is currently rolling. “I was always keen to start off in Kannada. After Bhatru and I met a couple of times, we thought about making Gaalipata 2, which is how this project came to be,” he says, adding, “Gaalipata 2 will be my third project.” Mahesh, who is based out of Mumbai, and will be shuttling between Bengaluru and Bollywood, feels that there is some sort of satisfaction in producing a film in the language one has grown up speaking. “Moreover, associating with Yogaraj Bhat is an experience I am looking forward to.”

Gaalipata 2 is not a sequel

Mahesh, who is involved in the prep work of the film, says that Gaalipata 2 will not be a sequel, but part of a franchise. “There will be no continuation from the previous film. It will be a completely different story altogether,” he says, adding, “But it is going have the same theme and a similar genre.”

Chinese or Korean actor to be among four heroines

With the lead actors in place, the makers are in the process of finalising the heroines and the supporting cast. Interestingly, one of the heroines will be either a Chinese or a Korean actor. The makers will zero in on an actor who fits the bill soon. This actor will be paired opposite Sharan in the film.

Gaalipata 2 will be shot in two schedules, one in Bengaluru and one abroad

Shooting for the film is expected to take off sometime in mid-March, and the team is planning to shoot in two schedules. The first will take place in Bengaluru between March 15 and April 15, and the other will happen between May 15 and June 15. The location of the latter schedule is yet to be finalised, but it is likely to be either in London or Fuji.