Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi’s Ganesh on his expectation of working with Srinivasa Raju

Director Srinivas Raju is best known for making the very violent Dandupalya series of movies, so Ganesh was initially worried about what kind of film the filmmaker would pitch

Golden Star Ganesh in a still from the song, My Marriage is Fixed

Kannada cinema’s Golden Star Ganesh has a certain tried-and-tested image that his audiences prefer him in – family dramas with some romance, comedy and good music thrown in for effect. He has tried stepping out of his comfort zone with Style King, but that did not work and has, since, stuck to his comfort zone. In doing so, what’s happened is that it has divided audiences. There is a set that adores ‘vintage’ Ganesh when he does such films, and others who think the actor needs to reinvent himself.

So, when director Srinivasa Raju approached Ganesh, the actor was a tad sceptical about what was going to be pitched to him, and was expecting a crime drama. The filmmaker, though, came with the logline for a family drama with romance and comedy in good measure, called Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi. When Srinivasa Raju then asked Ganesh if he was averse to doing something different, the actor said that he was not against it, but added that if a hotel is famous for idly and sambar, that’s what needs to be served; Chitranna and vada can be accompaniments, in reference to his strength in family dramas and romantic comedies.

The team has not revealed anything about the film that will be in theatres on August 15. Srinivasa Raju had maintained that he will not release a trailer, as it would reveal too much of the plot. Also, the filmmaker is of the firm belief that a romantic drama’s invitation card for audiences is its music, which has been a fairly decent hit.

No teaser or trailer for Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi and here’s why

What also appealed to Ganesh is that the filmmaker was candid in admitting that doing a commercial action-based film was a cakewalk for him and that pulling off a family drama was the bigger challenge – something he wanted to try his hand at and emerge victorious.

Speaking to Chittara ahead of Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi’s release, Ganesh said that the with family dramas, the risk is that audiences will take loo/smoke breaks during songs, unlike action movies, where they will not be tempted to get up during a stunt sequence. Therefore, for Srinivasa Raju, the challenge was in treating the narrative of Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi like an action flick and ensure they stay glued to their seats, said the actor.

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