Dinakar Thoogudeepa back at the helm

Dinakar Thoogudeepa is back at what he does best -- directing a film. The filmmaker, in his earlier interview with CE, had hinted that he would be helming a film soon, the story for which would be written by his wife Manasa.

The movie, titled Life Jothe Ondh Selfie, made under Viraat Sai Creations and produced by businessman Samruddhi Manjunath is all set to go on floors in September. A grand launch event will be held in the last week of August. This is Dinakar’s fourth project after Sarathi, which released in 2011. 

“I wait for good stories, and they definitely take time,” he says, explaining the long gap between his directorial ventures. “The excitement sets in when the right scripts come through.” 

He started his career in film direction with Jothe Jotheyalli and his second project was Navagraha. Dinakar’s next is apparently based on a journey which will bring out the friendship between three people. He has roped in Prem and Prajwal Devaraj to play two of the leads. Apparently, both have given their nod without even listening to the story. “I just mentioned the one liner and they had no second thoughts about being part of my project,” he says.

The team is curently scouting for a heroine, and plans to make an official announcement once the actress comes on board. While Dinakar has worked with Prem in Jothe Jotheyalli, this is the first time the director will be working with Prajwal. The two actors were last seen in Chowka directed by Tarun Sudhir and their performances were much appreciated. 

“I have known Prem for years now. As for Prajwal, I see a younger version of my brother Darshan in him,” says Dinakar. “His body language and personality were like Prajwal’s just before he entered the industry. Even the mass dialogues delivered by Prajwal mostly reminds me of my brother. Moreover, he is a natural, which is his plus point,” the director says. 

The film is set to start from September 25, and the team has picked Goa and Bengaluru as their locations.