Hero in real life: Yash helps newcomers

Techie-turned-film maker Anup Bhandari has found a knight in shining armour for his debut film RangiTaranga in the form of actor Yash. Yash was impressed with the trailer of the film and called up Anup to congratulate him. When the film maker then asked him to do a brief promotion of the film, Yash said he would watch the film first. He liked the movie and when he realised that the newcomers were finding it hard to release the film, used his good offices to find a distributor.The film is now being distributed by Jayanna Combines. "Jayanna and Bhogendra did not even watch the movie. They said that if Yash has found it good, they will not take a second opinion. As newcomers, we found it difficult to release our first film. But thanks to Yash, our task was made easier," said Anup Bhandari.
Anup was a techie working for Infosys and quit his job last year to pursue his dream of making movies. Even when he was working as a software professional he made six short films. When he was working on-site in the USA for Infosys he found time to shoot a short film along with technicians there. So when he started his first feature film, some of the film technicians with whom he had worked with in the USA joined hands. Thus US-based cinematographer Lance Kaplan worked on his first Kannada film. Anup has not only directed the film but written the script and six songs for the film. The songs which eschews the use of English or Hindi words has already become popular.
More than the songs, the trailer of the film has created a buzz about RangiTaranga. Anup says the film is a 'Romantic-mystery-thriller.' "It is a completely fictional story. But most of the characters and mannerisms are based on people I know. Though most of the actors are new to films they either have experience in theatre or television. Saikumar is the only one who is a film star. The selection of actors was deliberate as people expect certain kind of behaviour and predict a known actor's moves," says Anup.
The unique title of the film is a compound of Rangi and Taranga (colours and waves in Kannada). Anup's father Sudhakar Saja is a well-known tele-serial maker. It was under Saja that Sudeep made his debut in television (Premada Kadambari) two decades ago. Saja has also introduced actors like Chikkanna and Kuri Prataph.