Media Release
Mangaluru, Jun 1: Noted and award winning Mangalurean filmmaker Sandeep Malani is one of those Kannada filmmakers, who is very sad with the demise of Parvathamma and is mourning on her death. He remembers her through the last few years of his journey in the film industry wherein she has blessed him umpteen times on different occasions and has always praised him and his ventures.
Says an emotional Malani, “Today, if I am known in the Kannada film industry it is all because of Parvathamma. Ten years ago, when I was about to start my debut Kannada film, SMS 6260; it was Parvathamma and Raghavendra Rajkumar who were the chief guests for the muhurath of the film. It was one of those tragic days; the same day of my muhurath, our dear Dr Rajkumar passed away. And with that happiness of the big day, we were not known of the incident. It was early that morning, Raghavendra called me and informed me the tragic news and also because they were supposed to be the guests of honor. Being shocked and nervous, I immediately cancelled my muhurath and other arrangements. So did the entire Kannnada film industry, which came to a shut down for three days.
A few days later, I resumed the film giving tribute to the matinee idol with a song dedicated to him in the film. Parvathamma, heard the song and had tears in her eyes. She then, gave me permission to shoot a portion of the song at Dr Raj’s grave. Later, on request she agreed to release the audio of our film at her residence. I am so lucky that in the history of Kannada cinema, for the first time, an audio was launched at the residence of Dr Rajkumar in the presence of his big portrait and was released by Parvathamma. Lahari Velu and my wife Reshma Malani accompanied me. That moment was to cherish. And the next day, the entire Karnataka Press carried the photo. That was a great achievement; also because the song was an Anthem song that I did on the occasion of Suvarna Karnataka exclusively for my film, giving tribute to Dr Rajkumar with special lyrics written on him. Followed by the shoot at Dr Raj’s grave. It was since then, that I also became closer to the sons of the family. Shivraj Kumar was known to me even earlier as we did work for two projects as co-stars and my wife being the costume designer for Indradhanush and Preetse. He also supported the medical cause associated with my Hindi feature film. Raghanna was always there and Puneet too welcomed me whenever I needed his greetings and wishes for my ventures.”
Sandeep Malani has been lucky to even meet, greet, honor and seek good wishes and blessings from Dr Rajkumar. It was the muhurath of another Kannada film ‘Manasella Neene’ featuring Prabhu Deva, Prasad and Raju, directed by their choreographer father, Mugoor Sundaram. Malani was the chief associate director for the film. During the first day of the shoot, Dr Rajkumar graced the occasion and Malani had the golden opportunity to do the honors.
Also, just a year ago, the entire family headed by Parvathamma, her sons Shivraj, Raghavendra and Puneet had supported and given good wishes to the first Tulu Cinemotsava, the award function for Tulu films that was directed by Sandeep Malani for Malani Talkies production.
Continues Malani, “As I was doing films in the Kannada circles, it was Parvathamma who kept giving her blessings and good wishes for my ventures. She blessed me with a statement; 'May God Bless you abundantly always' and 'You are good, let your film be good. God will keep you happy. May you achieve lot of success in your career'. Such were her genuine blessings from her heart that she recorded for a video and with those blessings I won awards and applauds for my film ‘Sulige Sikkidaaga’.