Actor Shivaraj KR Pete is headlining Havamaana Varadi, a rural drama that marks the directorial debut of his long-time friend Sharath Chakravarthy. The makers recently offered a glimpse into the film, revealing a story about two contrasting individuals who fall in love, only to face sudden challenges thrown by fate. The title acts as a metaphor, indicating that human life can change as unexpectedly as the weather.
To capture these sequences authentically, the team shot in difficult conditions. Shivaraj stated that the crew filmed crucial portions entirely in water for 14 consecutive nights, working from 6 PM to 6 AM. "We spent two straight weeks in the water overnight, yet nobody in the team fell ill. Every single person worked hard to execute this schedule," he shared.
Nireeksha Rao, who plays the female lead, took swimming classes to prepare for her role. Her character explores two distinct phases, focusing on her journey before and after marriage. The cast also features Jahangeer MS and Bala Rajawadi.
For director Sharath Chakravarthy, the film ends a 15-year wait to enter the Kannada industry. Backed by his close circle of friends, including producer Hariprasad TS, he brought his script to the screen. "We frequently discussed making a movie together over the years. If this venture succeeds, we plan to back more projects," the director noted.
Havamaana Varadi is produced by Hariprasad TS, Divya Vinay Kumar, Prathibha Ashwathama, and HR Raghu under the Srimathi Lalitha Productions banner. The technical crew includes music by Aparajit Sris and B Ajaneesh Loknath, with lyrics by Hrudaya Shiva. Aanand Audio has bagged the music rights. The makers are currently in talks with distributors and are looking at a December release.
