It seems the Showman of Sandalwood has taken the 'one-man show' premise to new levels. Sources close to the crew of his new film Apoorva say that the actor-director does not have a single assistant director on the sets. After each shot, the director himself keys in the details on digital notepad. And believe it or not, for most of the shooting till now, the crew comprised only 12 people! Asked if it was a deliberate attempt to prove a point or forced by necessity, Ravichandran, in his typical style, says, "It is one-man-show." Apart from directing and acting, the Crazy Star is also doing everything else possible for the film from writing lyrics, composing music to designing the set. Apoorva will be one of the last films Ravichandran will act in before dedicating himself full time to direction.
This is the first time the designs of the film are being shared by Ravichandran and made exclusively available to us. Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, Ravichandran, said, "Seventy per cent of the film takes place inside a lift. It is the story of what blossoms between a 61-year-old man and a 19-year-old girl when they are stuck in a lift. They know death is around them. There is a terrorist attack outside. In such a situation for survival, how does the mind work? Along with the protagonists, the audience too are in the lift and become part of the film."
Ravichandran is aware of the expectations that a film he directs creates. But Apoorva is the biggest challenge of his life yet. After decades of making romantic films, age has caught up with him and he has reinvented himself. Playing a 61-year-old is not what stardom teaches stars. He says, "This is not just another love story. It is a very sensitive and delicate issue. When you show such a difference in age between the actors, you know it is not a regular film, let alone a regular love story. The script had to be intelligently done." There will be songs in the film but against the backdrop without lip movement from the lead actors.
But how can you manage to tell a full-length story inside a lift? Will the film not miss all the colours and vibrancy that Ravichandran's films are known for? The showman has thought about it. "Apoorva is a full-length film and will be two-and-a half hours long. The film is a challenge to me. Viewers feel itself inside the lift and feel the sounds from outside. You will see colours you have never seen before. Take it from me, you will be dumbstruck. When I make films, the audience wants to have an immersive experience. They will get it," he says.
Almost the entire portion of the film that happens inside the lift has been completed after a 45-day schedule. Another three-four days of shooting and Ravichandran will start shooting the outdoor portions of the film which should take another 40 days. He is planning to release the film by the year end.
Ravichandran has always known to be a good judge of his own products. He has not lost those skills. "I am the first to tell how good my films are. I think everyone know what their films are worth. I would openly say if my film was worth one week or two weeks at the theatre or whether it would be a big hit. I knew that with Krazy Star too. The only time I failed to judge my film was with Ekangi. Many times films are made with great constraints and because of different reasons. Maybe I become a partner in the film and have to complete it. We need to come out with a product and films get made. But when I make a film on my own, it will be a Ravichandran film. Apoorva is my film."
The leading lady of the film — a 19-year-old from Mysore — is making her debut. "I will not reveal her real name. She will be known as Apoorva from now on," says Ravichandran. Legend has it that he rejected 52 girls before choosing Juhi Chawla as the heroine of Premaloka. With Apoorva, it was the first girl he auditioned
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