The Tulu film industry is abuzz with activities in the recent past. Several films are in the making and a few are ready for release contrary to the past when Tulu film buffs had to be satisfied with just a couple of film releases during a span of a few years. The general explanation was that the limited audience and the lack of producers for Tulu films.
But that is not the case now with several Tulu films lined up. One of them is ‘Barke’ which is being released on Valentine’s Day. The film produced under the banner Renuka Chitra and directed by Bharath Krishna has aroused much curiosity.
The film director Bharath Krishna shared his views in a chat with Newskarnataka.
Tell us something about Barke
Barke is the name of an area in Mangalore city. It is quite a known area owing to various reasons. The film is based on a true life incident that took place in this area. Mangalorean youngsters prefer to term themselves as tigers wherever they go. Barke film is a story of the Pilis or tigers of Kudla. The film is a sure thriller and is a nice combination of love and is also an action packed film.
The Tulu film industry is based on the strong foundation of Tulu theatre. Are there theatre artistes in this film?
Barke is a new experiment in Tulu film industry. We have featured new talents and no famed theatre artiste has been featured in this film. The film also has some lighter vein moments which go well with the film story line. Even the conversation is distinct coming out of the theatre trend. For the first time in Tulu industry this film is based on a real life incident.
How was your experience in making ‘Barke?’
Barke is a film that is a result of the combination of experienced and freshers. If 99 per cent of the artistes are freshers, it also has an experienced technical team. Right from the lead pairs to most of the artistes are freshers and have given good performance. Everyone in our team has put in their 100 per cent for the film to come out effectively. Seventy per cent of the shooting was done in Barke area. The film has been completed in a year’s time when we have learnt a lot about film production. In total it was a great experience filled with sweet as well as sour moments.
Tell us something about the songs in the film.
There are six songs in the film and the music is by Yashovardhan Barke of Sangolli Rayanna fame. The songs are penned by V Manohar. One of the romantic songs has been shot at various locations in the city and has come out extremely well.
What are your expectations from this film?
Barke will come in as a breath of fresh air contrary to the present trend in Tulu film industry. But still, even I have a confusion as to how the viewers will accept it. Either it will be a super hit or a total flop. It is not that an easy task to make a film in Tulu as people here always choose the best. Barke is a creative cinema and we hope Tuluvas will like it.
What about the budget and promotion of the film?
The film has been made taking into view the Tulu film market. Various publicity tools have been effectively used. Much of the budget was used in the making of the film. If the film is appreciated that itself is a big publicity for us. There have been instances of films becoming a super hit merely by word of mouth publicity of the viewers.
What about the release?
It will be released in five theatres at Mangalore, BC Road and Udupi on February 14. It will also be released in Mumbai in the later days and based on the response there are plans to release it even in Gulf nations.
Does Tulu film industry have ample scope for growth ?
The industry is progressing at a fast pace. But producers have to depend on Bangalore for all technical works. Such technology must be available even in Mangalore. The Tulu film industry needs its own film chamber and there also need to be new experiments in Tulu film industry. Creative films must be made.
Your views on remake and dubbing cinemas.
Tulu does not need dubbing cinemas as Tulunad people have no language problem. They watch even Telugu, Tamil and English films if they are good. Then I am opposed to remake films. Even if one wants to opt for a remake then it should be based on a good story.
Bharath Krishna has already directed short films like Samadhi, The End, The Final Show and Life is Beautiful and has also done a good job in Barke. Mutturaj is the cinematographer. Meghana is the heroine of this film which has Nagaraj, Ashwin, Srikanth and Balachandra as the lead actors. The film songs have already won much appreciation.Lyrics are by V Manohar while the songs have been set to tunes by Yashovardhan Barke.
Wishing all success to ‘Barke.’
