Senna Hegde-Pushkara Mallikarjunaiah combo returns for a comedy drama

Director Senna Hegde and Pushkara Mallikarjunaiah, who last collaborated for

Katheyondu Shuruvagide

, are now working on their next venture. “This film is a comedy

drama

, centred around an event. The narrative requires an ensemble cast of about 25-30 characters, hence it’s not a protagonist-centric film. What transpires during this event and how it affects the dynamics of the relationships between those characters, and the emotions they go through unfolds through the course of the narrative,” explains Senna. So, what made the duo work on this project? “I have always wanted to explore different kinds of films and fresh content. After Katheyondu Shuruvagide, which was largely directed at multiplex audiences, we wanted to make a film that would appeal to viewers from all walks of life. And, given that humour is a universally-accepted genre and Senna is a filmmaker who can juggle emotions and

comedy

really well, this project came into being,” says Pushkara.
But, how would Senna compare this film with Katheyondu Shuruvagide? “The new film is set in a rural, small-town backdrop. And, is loosely based on real-life incidents. Katheyondu... had an

urban

setting, with minimal characters, a mellow and easy pace,” says Senna, who is currently working on the screenplay of the film, and adds that this project requires a coastal setting. The director also adds that working with Pushkara again gives him the liberty to experiment with creative filmmaking.