Diganth-Pooja's Katheyondu Shuruvagide trailer scores big

Diganth’s four-day-old trailer of Katheyondu Shuruvagide has already hit 4.5 lakh views on YouTube. The three-minute long trailer has gone viral on social media, and viewers, in their comments have appreciated the actor’s role, one that they have long hoped to see him don.

The actor and his co-star, Pooja Devariya, who will be making her Kannada debut with this film, have manged to catch the eyes of celebrities as well, both within the industry and outside. Senior actor Suhasini Maniratnam, director Pawan Kumar, actors Vijay Sethupathi and Siddharth are among those who have publicly expressed their thoughts on social media platforms.

“I just feel positive vibes around me now,” says director Senna Hegde, who is thrilled with the outcome. The filmmaker says he was particular about how the trailer would be cut, not only because it gives a gist of the film, but also because it gives an idea of the final version of the film. “Many times, I’ve come across viewers who watch a film after seeing the trailer, but are left disappointed with the end product. Although I am going to be honest about the storyline in the trailer, I have made sure not to put out the best scenes and just highlighted what the film is going to be based on. I think the thought is already being appreciated since people are talking about the purity and freshness in the trailer,” he says.

What made shooting the film all the more exciting was the use of sync sound. “The emotions that come through with sync sound are real and natural,” says Senna, adding, “When you are dubbing after the shoot, you’re in a different frame of mind. Which is why, I insisted that we use sync sound even though it is a painful process. Seventy per cent of the dubbing took place on the sets, the remaining will be done in a studio.” 

The film was shot in six locations – Bengaluru, Mysuru, coastal area, Pondicherry, Munnar – and the director completed the film in a span of 30 days. “We had a good pre-production plan in place which helped us complete the film on time. We later took a month-and-a-half for post-production,” says Senna. The project is now at the re-recording stage. “Now that the audio is out, we will soon be presenting the copy to the censors.”

'Off-screen equations reflect on-screen'
Diganth is well-known in the Kannada industry, but the actor was new to someone like Senna, who is making his directorial debut in Kannada. “When I cut the trailer, I recalled how our association began. Rakshit Shetty gave me his number, after which we met. Minutes into my narration, he said, 'Where do you want me to sign?' He totally believed in my idea and style of making the film,” recalls the filmmaker, who has now found a friend in the actor. “I have somebody to hang out with when I come to the city. It was a great experience directing Diganth, who didn’t throw any star tantrums.”

The bond that the actor-director now share, has pushed Senna to associate with Diganth once again. “It's a thought at the moment. But we will decide once we are done with the release of Katheyondu Shuruvagide,” he says.

The same goes for Pooja, Senna tells us, with the two having hit it off very well on both a professional and personal front. “Off-screen equations reflect in on-screen work. Pooja is friendly and is able to create a good atmosphere on the sets,” he says.