Yogaraj Bhat is already sensing success. His latest film ‘Gaalipata’ has just hit the marquee and the opening response has been overwhelming. The film, which marks the reunion of Golden star Ganesh for yet another time with the nifty director after ‘Mungaru Male’, is sure to be another feather in the director’s hat. In this interview, we get talking with Yogaraj Bhat on his ‘Gaalipata’.

Excerpts from an Interview:

You almost had butterflies in your stomach pre-release of your Gaalipata. Now that your film is released and is garnering good feedbacks from all corners, how do you feel?

Yes, I got pretty twitchy before the film’s release. You see I was optimistic about its great openings. However I was a bit apprehensive of the audience’s response. Expectations were sky high and all the pre-release hype and hoopla made me feel a bit wired up.

Gaalipata wasn’t just any other film. It was unique and important since it was coming after ‘Mungaru Male’. ‘Mungaru Male’ awarded me with the kind of fame one cannot even dare to dream of. The people got frenzied over it. I just wanted to live up to their faith and honor with Gaalipata too.

However, now that the film has released, I’m a lot more at ease now. The Kannada cine-goers are finally ready for new things. And with Gaalipata I have given an extra dose of everything that is novel. And going by the initial box-office response, I can gladly say that I’ve succeeded.

Apparently it was buzzed that some of the film’s reviews irked you?

In this case, I’d like to repeat that I worth all reviews. Whatever good or bad the critics’ views in my film, I gladly take them on my stride. After all to rate any film as good or bad is their sole prerogative.

Having said that, I’d like to add that yes, a few reviews did hurt me. I personally felt that all my labors went unseen there. While most of them lavished my films with good adjectives, others were a bit too harsh on me. But then that’s all right. I believe they were as honest and committed in their reviews as those who loved my film.

But in a television interview you got back vehemently at those guys who wrote you off?

No, not at all. Instead in that interview I hit back at all those industry naysayers who were hell-bent in making my film a disaster. You see, all big films, say it be Mungaru Male, Duniya or even Milana started off with mixed response before they could finally make it big.

In fact there was a premeditated plan to make my film a flop even though the box-office collections hinted otherwise. In that interview, I just said that I was extremely hurt to see a few guys desperate to kill my film. All these guys need to learn is that this industry thrives on the hard work of many workers and that the success of a film is like a reward to all their efforts.

What do you think has worked for your film?

I cannot accredit any single factor for the success of the film. In fact all factors contributed generously to the success of it. Rathnavelu’s cinematography is superb while the mixed palette of melodious music too did its trick.

Apart from that, my team of actors is hugely responsible for the film’s success. Ganesh and Anant sir were fabulous while Neetu and Diganth were a sure revelation.

Even the graphics were impressive. And last but not the least, Harikrishna’s background score too added to the success of the film. I think I’ve rightly mentioned every successful aspect of my film.

Why did you go for Rathnavelu even while having a great cinematographer like S Krishna to your aid?

Actually S Krishna was occupied with a couple of films when I started off with Gaalipata. In fact I wished to start the film early but had to postpone the project because of some unavoidable causes. So I asked Krishna to go ahead with other projects. In the meanwhile, things fell into place and I had to start off without him. But Rathnavelu sir is a great technician and the results are for all to see.

What’s next?

Well, I wouldn’t like to disclose that right now. However I have plans to go to dharmastala first and offer prayers to Lord Manjunatha for the success of my film. Then I’d like to go out and check the business of Gaalipata.

Also I’m planning to release my production venture ‘Inthi Nanna Preethiya’ that is being directed by Soori of ‘Duniya’ fame. I‘d also like to take sometime off for my family and then start off with my next script.