'Rama Shyama Bhama' (Sati Leelavati) by Kamal Hassan and Ramesh

"People from Karnataka always welcomed me wholeheartedly. I'm grateful to their love and affection." These were the words of South India's most versatile, dynamic, multifaceted actor, director Kamal Hassan who is in town to shoot for the updated version of his own Telugu flick 'Sati Leelavati', and actor Ramesh Aravind is making his foray into direction with this film.

Recalling his Bangalore connection, Kamal Hassan said, "Bangalore has always inspired me and brings back the nostalgic memories." Kamal who has acted in films like Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu and Pushpaka Vimaana is back to Kannada after 18 years. 'Sathi Leelavathi' (1995) was made in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi and the Kannada version of it is called 'Rama Shyama Bhama' went on the floors yesterday (May 18). The eve of muhurath at Grand Ashok was a very well planned and executed program where public opinion about Kamal's comeback was screened.

Kamal Hassan's co-stars in the film include Ramesh, Urvashi and Shruthi where Uravashi pairs Ramesha and Shruthi to Kamal. Anjali (Daisy Urvashi

Bopanna) plays the vital role. Hindi version of this film 'Beewi No.1' was a pretty popular movie.

Kamal has great respect for Kannada and Karnataka. He recalled those days when 'Kokila' and 'Swathi Muthyam' were shot in the Garden City. "I used to come to Bangalore to watch Kannada films! Such used to be the films then. Films like Kaadu, Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu etc are evergreen films. We often talk about Hindi movies when it comes to National award or Oscar. There is no meaning in pointing at others when we ourselves don't know about our own quality films! We are not attempting to expand our horizon to other states and then to other nations," said Kamal. Responding a question about Oscar, the actor said, "Oscar is not a world standard, it is American standard. An actor's award in India is a much bigger award for me," he said who is proud to have three national awards!

Produced by K. Manju, 'Rama Shyama Bhama' will be shot at Bangalore and Goa. Das is handling the camera while Gurukiran is scoring the music and Rajenda Karanth and Sardeshpande have penned the dialogues. Kamal plays the role of a Ramesh and Kamal Hassan

gynecologist while Ramesh is a flirt in the movie. Kamal is extremely happy to act in Ramesh's directorial debut. "It is an intellectual connection that I have with Ramesh as both of us have been prodigies of K Balachander," says Kamal. They also have plans for another movie KG (Kempe Gowda). Since the script for this project is ready, they may start it after 'Rama Shyama Bhama' mentioned Ramesh. Apparently, Ranesh was supposed to direct a children film 'Apollo' which is put on the backburner.

Comeback of Kamal Hassan to Kannada after 18 years and Ramesh Aravind turning into director naturally boosts the expectations and is a challenge for them to see that the audience is not disappointed. We wish the talented duos all the success.