Mangalore: Tulu film celebrates 100-day run

DHNS

• Rare feat

 

Mangalore, 02 Sep 2011: Movie-making is a risky business, every producer knows. And investing 10 million rupees in a vernacular film for the minuscule Tulu-speaking population is even riskier.

 

But a Mangalorean, who put his money into a Tulu movie “Oriyardori Asal” (One smarter than the other), has not only ducked the trend, but has also reaped cent per cent profit with the film achieving a rare feat by completing 100 days in a cinema in the coastal district in recent years.

 

While the movie will complete 100 days (4 shows a day) in Jyothi Theatre in Mangalore on Saturday (September 3), it has crossed 75 days in Udupi, Moodbidre, Sakleshpur, Koppa, Tirthahalli, and more than 50 days in B C Road.

 

The movie has, in fact, been released in 22 theatres across Karnataka, and continues to run to packed houses in some cinemas. It is scheduled for release in Mumbai on October 2 and in Dubai — where there’s a sizeable Tulu-speaking community — on October 28.

 

Speaking to playwright Vijaykumar Kodialbail said he had proved a point that the money invested in a good movie would pay dividends. “At a time when people are scared to invest even Rs 30 lakh in a film, I invested Rs 1 crore and succeeded in getting the money back,” he said with a smile, recalling the days he first staged the play with the same title on February 10, 1987.

 

The play was a runaway success and crossed over 1,000 shows in the coastal region, Mumbai and West Asia. Vijaykumar has so far written and directed 19 plays and almost all of them have been a success. While his Tulu play “Madime” (Marriage) has crossed 350 shows, “Kutumba” (Family) has crossed 300 shows and “Maamugonji Maami” (An aunt for uncle) has crossed 400 shows.

 

Vijaykumar is confident his new movie would run for 150 days. On his future projects, he said two comedy Tulu plays were on the anvil. He said he also planned to release his next Tulu comedy/suspense movie within six months.

 

“Oriyardori Asal” is a story of three families living in the same compound (vatara) and the happenings in their daily life — a laugh riot throughout the movie. However, the three main actors who dominated the play when it was staged for the first time in 1987, are no more, and their roles have been performed by other artistes in the movie.

 

While the film has been directed by Ha Soo Rajashekar, the story, screenplay, dialogue and lyrics have been penned by Vijaykumar Kodialbail. Popular Tulu theatre actor Naveen D Padil is among the lead actors, supported by theatre artistes Aravind Bolar, Rajesh Bantwal and Suresh Mangalore. A K Vijay (Kokila) has scored the music.