Shivarajkumar: Plan to re-release Mufti before Bhairathi Ranagal comes out

Bhairathi Ranagal, the film that heralds the return of director Narthan, had its official muhurtha today. Starring Shivarajkumar in the lead as the title character, the film will serve as a prequel and sequel to the events that unfolded in the filmmaker’s earlier Mufti. Bhairathi Ranagal, the gangster who is also a saviour of sorts for the people of a particular village, is considered as one of Shivarajkumar’s best roles, with his styling, including the panche, becoming a much-copied look, sported by the likes of Nandamuri Balakrishna and Rajinikanth, among others. 

Given the appeal for the character, Shivarajkumar was asked if he and the team were looking at taking the film on a pan-India level, to which he said that there was no conscious effort to do so. “However, these days most films go pan-India anyway, with dubbing in other languages. We are not announcing it as a pan-India film, instead, if it is destined for a bigger audience, it will find its place in due course of time. In fact, now, even without dubbing, Kannada films have been going pan-India,” said the Century Star at the film’s muhurtha on May 26. 

Since Bhairathi Ranagal’s narrative involves sequences of how he came to be a gangster, among others, and then what becomes of him after he’s incarcerated, the team is looking at re-releasing Mufti in time for the theatrical outing of the new film. “While it will give audiences a connect between the storylines, Bhairathi Ranagal can be viewed as a stand-alone film as well,” explained Shivarajkumar. 

Produced by the actor’s home banner Geetha Pictures, Bhairathi Ranagal goes on floors by June 10, by which time Shivarajkumar is expected to finish the ongoing last schedule of his film with MG Srinivas, Ghost. Composer Arjun Janya’s directorial debut, 45, which will have Shivarajkumar join Raj B Shetty and Upendra, is also set to take off shortly and it remains to be seen if the Century Star will juggle both Bhairathi Ranagal and 45 simultaneously. At some point, he will also factor in Kabzaa 2, the R Chandru directed sequel, which will focus on Shivarajkumar’s character.