Shikari audio to be released soon

The audio of Mammootty’s Kannada-Malayalam bilingualShikaridirected by National award winning director Abhay Simha will be out in a few days. This film, produced by K. Manju, is likely to be released some time in September. Director Abhay Simha said that the tunes composed by music director Hari Krishna are awesome.

”Audio of our film is ready for release… just sorting out dates… hopefully audio will be released within next two weeks… saw the final colour corrected song version… wow! It’s looking amazing,” he tweeted.

“Harikrishna has done a great job with the music. It is easily one of his finest works. Madan-Harini have done a great job choreographing it. And watching Mammootty sir in songs is like a dream! Can’t wait to share it with you friends…" is Abhay Simha’s latest note on his Facebook page.
Incidentally, Shikari has a subject of stirring a silent revolution, as the hero takes a lead in awakening public consciousness. At a time when Anna Hazare has got a big victory in his crusade against corruption, Abhay feels that the film’s release would be timely.

Mammootty shoots in Bengaluru for Shikari

Megastar Mammootty was in Bengaluru on Friday and Saturday, shooting a stunt scene for his first Kannada-Malayalam bilingual Shikari. He had a very jovial and pleasure-filled afternoon at the Sapota Garden in Bangalore Palace with the Kannada film media, who were thrilled at his simplicity. Mammootty's actions surprised all. Why? They resembled those of Dr. Vishnuvardhan, who used to be similar in his attitude with media persons. Dr. Vishnuvardhan always came close to media after his formal address and interacted with them in a friendly manner; so did Mammootty.

Mammootty was very keen in explaining his intense role in the film. He plays a software techie who gets deeply involved in a novel he reads and later becomes one of the characters in the same novel.

Director Abhay Simha, who is directing Shikari, said that history has the answers for present problems. The award winning director ofGubbachchigalu also spared a few moments for the media. Abhay Simha has already shot Shikari for 47 days, in which the major schedule was at Thirthahalli in Shimoga running for 27 days. The action director of Singamand Naan Mahan Alla was capturing the stunt scenes in Bengaluru.

Producer K. Manju was extremely happy with the way Mammootty handled the film and said Mammootty is a perfectionist. The climax sequence will be shot on December 10th. The film is scheduled for March 2011 release.

Sandalwood gives a warm welcome to Mammootty

Megastar Mammootty received a grand and warm welcome at Bengaluru, when he arrived there to act in his debut Kannada film. He was welcomed with sandalwood garland and the traditional Mysore crown.

Mammootty will be acting inShikari, directed by young director Abhayasimha. Veteran director Rajendra Singh Babu recalled that he had approached Mammootty on several earlier occasions to act in Kannada films, but did not materialise.

He said that he was overwhelmed as Abhaya, who is like his son, was able to bring Mammooty to Kannada. Choreographer Chinni Prakash, actress Tara, actors Adarsh and Mohan too praised Mammootty.

Amidst loud cheers and applause, Mammootty said that he has watched several Kannada films. He also said that he would learn Kannada by the time he finishes the film. However, Mammootty will be dubbing for the film in Kannada.

Mammootty also recalled his association with Dr Raj Kumar and Vishnuvardan and expressed his regret that they were not there to share his joy.

He expressed his happiness to associate with young directors like Abhaya. This film Shikari will be made in Malayalam too. 

Mammootty in Kannada

Malayalam superstar Mammootty is set to make his debut in Sandalwood through Shikari. Big budget film producer Gandugali K Manju has been successful in bringing the Malayalam actor to Kannada films.

Speculations about Mammootty's entry into Kannada films have been on in Sandalwood for the last six months. Now, they have turned true with Mammootty giving his nod for Shikari.

Manju has selected award-winning young director Abhay Simha for the project. Simha, who hails from coastal Karnataka, is known for his grip over filmmaking. The selection of the remaining star cast is on. Manju wants Shikari to be a closely guarded secret as it is supposed to be a surprise package.

Earlier, another Malayalam superstar Mohanlal had acted in Love, the debut film of Aditya Singh, son of renowned film-maker Rajendra Singh (Babu). But the movie was a disaster. Since then, Mohanlal has not been seen in any Kannada movie.

Mammootty confirms to star in Kannada movie

After the movie Pazhassi Raja, Malayalam Superstar Mammootty is ready to enter Kannada film industry. The actor has recently confirmed to star in director Abhaya Simha's Kannada movie Shikari. The director, who has got a degree from Pune Film Institute, has penned story and screenplay for the film.

Abhaya Simha has earlier directed the movie Gubbachchigalu and got rave reviews for his work. A year ago, he had contacted Mammootty with the story of Shikari that deals with the pre- and post-independence condition in India. But the movie was held up because producer NR Shetty suffered financial set back and the director could not get the actor's call sheet.

Director Abhaya Simha met Mammootty in Pollachi last Monday and got his confirmation to star in his next movie Shikari. The actor is now enjoying the big opening of his recently released film Pazhassi Raja in Kerala. Presently, he is busy with the shooting of Shaffi directed Malayalam movie. He might starting shooting Shikari at the end of this year.

However, Kannada movie Shikari is now produced by K Manju. Anmol Bhave will score the music, while Shrivatsa cranks the camera for the movie. The shooting of the movie will be done in Bangalore Karnataka. "We'll soon come out with all the details of casts, budget, date of shooting and other things," says producer K Manju.

Konkona may team up with Mammootty in Kannada film

He is on cloud nine after signing on Mammootty for "Shikari", the Malayalam superstar's first Kannada film. And director Abhay Simha now wants to rope in Bollywood actress Konkona Sen Sharma for the female lead.

"Konkona is busy with her Hindi projects, but she was impressed with the script. We hope that we would be able to get her dates once the project rolls," said Simha, who received a lot of appreciation for his directorial debut "Gubbachchigalu", about the journey of city kids to search for sparrows.

Explaining how Mammootty came on board, Simha told IANS: "One of my batchmates from FTII (Film & Television Institute Of India, Pune) was working as a cinematographer for a Mammootty film. Through him I got the telephone number of Mammootty's secretary. I called the secretary and told him I have an interesting script for the star. Within a few hours I got a call from Mammootty, who asked me to e-mail the script. I immediately sent the content of the script on e-mail.

"A few days later, Mammootty's secretary called me again and asked me to call the actor personally. Two days later I met Mammootty and he agreed to work in the film and said he would finalise the dates in a few days. When he agreed to do my Kannada film, I was on cloud nine."

Mammootty has acted in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films, but he hasn't worked in any Kannada film because none of the scripts impressed him. So "Shikari", which is about the systematic exploitation of nature and environment, will be the superstar's first Kannada film.

"The screenplay has some novel features. When I was writing the script, I had always thought about Mammootty sir," said Simha.

"Shikari" is being produced by Mangalore-based industrialist N.R. Shetty, who had earlier made "Shubham" with Shivadhwaj in the lead.

Simha believes in good cinema and his passion for filmmaking grew after he made a 45-minute documentary on the psychology of twins, triplets and quadruplets. He has 19 documentaries, 10 short films and two music videos to his credit.

"I believe in good cinema, which is both entertaining and sensible. No, I don't believe in abstract films because a film has to reach out to the common man," said Simha.

Well-known Kannada director Girish Kasaravalli is Simha's source of inspiration.

"I derive all my inspiration from him. He too is a student of FTII. I have seen all his films and I'm awe-struck by his brilliance. I was motivated by him and have now decided to concentrate on Kannada films rather than work in Bollywood," said Simha.

Mammootty's Kannada Film coming soon

Mamookka is sure going places these days. Mammootty has reportedly given his consent to act in a film in Kannada, directed by Abhay Simha, who had made his debut with ‘Gubbachchigalu’, a much acclaimed film that’s being screened at many international festivals.
The Abhay Simha-Mammootty film, titled ‘Shikaari’, will be produced by N.R. Shetty and will have story and script by the director himself.
‘Shikaari’ will feature music by Anmol Bhave and cinematography by Vikram Shrivastava (both of whom were also part of the ‘Gubbachchigalu’ team). Grapevine has it that Konkona Sen Sharma is being considered as the leading lady and that she is likely to accept the offer. We are waiting for confirmation and more details.