Goli Soda is my fourth film, but it is my first release

When the Kannada film Goli Soda releases next week, director Raghu Jaya will be a relieved man. The filmmaker, has, after all, spent 16 years in the industry, made three other films, but is looking at Goli Soda as his 'first film'. Naturally, he is excited as he speaks to us about his early years, love for cinema and more.
FIRST LOVE ' CINEMA
When I was young, and my father could afford to get a television, he insisted that I watch classic films, especially those by late filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal.Every time his film was screened, my father would force me to watch it and over time; I got addicted to watching his films. I started taking a keen interest in the technical aspects of his style of filmmaking; for instance, why he'd chosen a particular aerial shot, etc. I got so involved in it that I started analyzing other films as well and wondered how they could be bettered with certain changes. I have never seen Puttana Kanagal, but his filmmaking is what inspired me to become a director and I would say that he is my guru. Over time, my love for cinema almost became a craze and I started watching every film that released in the movie hall near our house.
DESTINATION SANDALWOOD
In 2000, I got my first opportunity to assist on a Kannada film. Unfortunately, it never released, but I got other films and did as many as 18 as an assistant. By 2009, I thought I was ready to direct myself and was lucky enough to find a producer to back me and that's when I made Rajadhani with Yash.
During the making of the film, I briefed the media at several press conferences about the progress of shooting, and all the initial posters had my name on it, but when the film eventually released, I was not given due credit. To date, I am not sure what exactly went wrong between the producer and me, but he had got me to sign a document, which based on good faith, I signed. It turned out to be a no objection certificate and the final credits of the film had his wife's name (Sowmya Sathyan NR) against the story, screenplay and direction. I was quite dejected when that happened, but the silver lining was that people in the industry knew that it was my film and based on incidents from my life and that of some of my friends.
After that, I did a film called Hubballi Hudugaru, which was completed but never released as the producer had some issues. My third attempt at directing was Rajadhani 2, which is about 60% done and had to be stalled as the producer ran into financial trouble. Goli Soda is, technically, my fourth film, but will be my first release.
REMAKES
I was against the idea of directing a remake and had rejected many offers in the past. In fact, Goli Soda was initially offered to Nanda Kishore, but he got busy with Ranna and suggested my name to the producer. He called me also and said that I should watch the original and take a call on whether I want to work on the Kannada version. I was floored after I saw how technically-strong the Tamil film is and came on board. On the first day on the set, the producer loitered around and watched me with a hawk-eye, which he later admitted was because he was not sure about my work, given my track record. But by pack-up that day, he came to me and said that he would not be around anymore and true to his word, he did not and gave me a free rein to work on the film. The original was shot in 85 days and we managed our version in 45, out of which some 20-25 days were on actual locations in and around KR Market.
Now that I have done a remake, I realize how difficult it actually is, as you are bound by several limitations. Today, I have a lot more respect for those who make remakes and am open to do more. But, yes, like most other creative people, I prefer original films and want to see my stories onscreen. In fact, my next film is likely to be one such with the production team of Goli Soda.