Your children are now into the films. Are you nervous or curiously looking forward to see how the audience will receive them?
I have never been nervous at any point of time in my life. It is their projects. They have planned their journeys and I will have all my support. They should lead their lives and experience it. So, I let them work in other production houses before casting in my home banner. If I would have launched them, it would have been my kind of movies. Now, it is after all their movies. I am happy to see their happiness and excitement.
Being a visionary, do you think Sandalwood will ever be ready to make a movie like Baahubali?
It is not just in Sandalwood, it can be made anywhere. Raajakumaraa too have struck gold in Karnataka. Today, if a movie is good it will reach to new places without a doubt. Now, do not ask me whether a Kannada movie can earn over Rs 1,000 crore. All I say is that if we churn out a good movie, the rights of which will be sold to other languages resulting in huge revenue for the producer. We do not have to spend so much of money, but with a content that can win the hearts of the audience. Remember, Baahubali has not made Rs 1,000 crore in its home territory and the major contribution has come from other states and countries.
There is a wave in Sandalwood where content-oriented movies have gained a market. Experimental movies are doing some decent business due to the rise in multiplexes. What would you like to say?
Experiments have always been part of Sandalwood. For instance, Apoorva and Yekangi were experimental movies, which unfortunately did not reach the target audience. When I did 11 songs in Prema Loka, it was a major experiment. Those days, the crowd coming to theatres in the first, second and third weeks were different. Today, we see all of them thronging into theatres in the same week. The most of the opening depends on the stardom and the way you promote the film.
When can we expect your much-delayed Manjina Hani?
There is a lot of time for it. I need money to invest in Manjina Hani.
What are all your upcoming movies?
Rajendra Ponappa is ready to hit the floors. Then, there is Bakasura, which will be made by the makers of Karva. I will be working with MS Ramesh in Dasharatha. Click Here to read the First Part of the Interview