Srikkanth opens a new chapter
M D Riti
"This is my maiden innings, and I hope to score well in my first fifteen overs," said Kris Srikkanth, the former Indian captain and opening batsman. He was talking, not about cricket, but his first attempt to produce a Kannada television serial for Eenadu TV’s Kannada channel.
The serial, titled Gauthami, is being made by Srikkanth under his banner Kris Srikkanth Entertainment Private Limited. "I am a very religious person, and have great faith in God," said Srikkanth, who was in Bangalore for the launch of the serial. "That’s why I gave my serial this name."
Punctuating his conversation with cricketing terminology, Srikkanth added, "I relate everything in life to cricket. I now hope to play a good innings, with artistes and technicians pitching in to score runs." He admitted that he does not know Kannada, but has been to Karnataka several times to play cricket, and would be now happy to learn the language.
And who would be the umpires for these innings of his? Srikkanth looking as fit and elegant as ever, said : "The public, of course. It's upto them to tell us when we are out!"
The serial is not all about cricket! It is the story of a woman warrior in social life. Popular TV actress plays the lead role of Gauthami, a sort of activist who tries to bring about social reform in daily life. The character promises to be the kind that the middle classes will easily relate to.
Gifted actor Ananth Nag plays a key role, and this certainly augers well for the serial. The rest of the cast includes popular actress Padma Vasanthi, Jyothi, Vanishri, Dr.Sanjay, Shivakumar, Sri Raksha, Shama, Shivaram and Sandhya.
The serial’s story is by Challa Subramanyam. Veteran big screen director K.S.R. Doss handles the screenplay and direction. K.Nanjunda, who is known to be a good writer, has written the dialogues. Prathap handles the camera. Popular music director Hamsalenha’s wife Latha has sung the melodious title track, which was of course written by her husband.
Is Srikkanth sure that his serial will do well? "Who knows?" quipped the batsman. "Anyway, I believe that being too safe is also being very boring, so let me try my luck this time with this serial." A philosophy that stood him well in his cricketing career and should stand him in good stead now too.
