Sequels often arrive while the success of the original is still fresh. Mahesh Kumar chose the opposite route. Eight years after Ayogya struck a chord with audiences, the director is returning to the world that introduced him as a filmmaker with Ayogya 2, produced by M Mune Gowda under the SVC Productions banner. The film, which reunites Sathish Ninasam and Rachita Ram, has music by Arjun Janya, dialogues by Masthi, cinematography by Vishwajith Rao, and editing by Suresh Arumugam.
"When you have delivered a blockbuster, the thought of a sequel is always there," says Mahesh, adding, "But Ayogya was still playing on television, and people were still talking about its songs. I wanted all of that to settle first. Audiences should first move away from the first film. That's what creates excitement for the second. Otherwise, they keep comparing both films instead of watching the sequel with a fresh mind."
But this wait also brought another challenge. "When your first film becomes a hit, expectations double for the sequel. I needed a producer who understood that responsibility. It took some time before I found Munegowda."
Ayogya worked because of its comedy, emotions, and chartbuster music; Mahesh isn't looking to change that formula. He wants to build on it. "Entertainment was one of the biggest strengths of Ayogya. The songs played a huge role in helping the film connect. Since this is a continuation, I wanted to retain those elements while making them bigger. We've also got a very good album from Arjun Janya. Audiences can expect even more entertainment this time."
Just like the first film, the setting plays an important part in the sequel. "There are still panchayat kattes. Village politics still exists. The only difference is that people now travel in more cars. Otherwise, people haven't changed much. Even though villages now have concrete roads, I recreated mud roads in parts of the film because I wanted that old flavour," says the filmmaker, who assures crowd-pleasing moments in this instalment as well.
Reuniting the original cast was equally important for the authenticity of the sequel. Sathish Ninasam, Rachita Ram, Ravi Shankar, Giri Shivanna and Shivaraj KR Pete return, along with a few new additions. "I felt half the job was done once the original cast came back. They already understood the world of Ayogya, and that helped me bring the vision I had in mind."
Music, too, comes with expectations. Mahesh recalls a conversation with composer Arjun Janya that helped him look at the sequel differently. "Arjun Janya told me you can't expect the music of Mungaru Male again in Gaalipata. Every successful album has its own identity. Our effort was never to recreate the old songs but to give Ayogya 2 its own musical identity."
Mahesh believes village stories naturally accommodate every element of mainstream cinema. "Ayogya 2 gives room for entertainment, emotions, action and comedy. Everything audiences expect from a complete commercial entertainer fits into this setting."
Producer Munegowda understands that sequels can be unpredictable, and ironically, he hadn't watched Ayogya when Mahesh first approached him. "I knew about the Ayogya songs because they had become chartbusters, but I watched the film only after discussions about producing the sequel began. What impressed me was the humour and entertainment. I believe a good story naturally becomes a good entertainer, and that's the kind of cinema I want to produce under my banner," says Munegowda, who points out that the original's legacy made him back the sequel without too much deliberation. "I'm confident Ayogya 2 has everything audiences expect from a wholesome entertainer. Comedy has never gone out of fashion. Generation after generation, people have embraced films that make them laugh, and I believe this film will continue that tradition."
In fact, depending on the audience's response to Ayogya 2, the producer wants to create a franchise out of Ayogya. "I'd like this franchise to continue under our banner for as long as audiences keep supporting it," he signs off.
