Latest news with #PRKProductions
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Yuva Rajkumar and Rohit Padaki interview: ‘Ekka' is a product of great planning
Seldom does a reasonably big-budget Kannada film — like the upcoming Yuva Rajkummar-starrerEkka — get ready for release within just seven months of commencing shoot. The film, which marks the coming together of three prominent production houses, KRG Studios, PRK Productions, and Jayanna Films, is directed by Rohit Padaki. 'You need great planning to pull it off. I finished writing in September 2024, and pre-production work started with script reading and workshops for actors in October. We planned day and night till we went to shoot on January 01, 2025,' says Padaki about his third directorial, set to hit the screens on July 18. 'You also need to have a great vibe on the sets of the film. Most of the films are delayed because people don't communicate and get along well with each other,' he reasons. Ekka is the sophomore film of Yuva, billed as the next star in Sandalwood, who debuted with Yuva last year. 'Yuva came to this project as an open book. He wasn't conscious of building any image. He was ready to do what the character demanded. He is mature, speaks valid points, and has an innocent approach to life. I liked that a lot,' says Padaki. Meanwhile, Yuva explains that while he read a lot of scripts for his sophomore outing, he saw a spark in the story of Ekka that convinced him. After all, a lot is riding on the youngster , especially since Yuva was an underwhelming debut for the actor who hails from the Dr Rajkumar family. While the film was dismissed as a bland campus drama, Yuva was criticised for his acting. 'If somebody criticises my work, I take it as a positive. It means that they think I am important and expect me to improve. Also, I don't take criticism and praise seriously. Even if people love me in Ekka, I won't make a big deal about it. My goal is to get better as an actor with each film,' he offers. The caption in the teaser of Ekka reads, 'In the heart of mayhem, innocence screams the loudest.' Padaki describes his film as a journey of a man trying to retain his innocence. 'We often see people from small towns finding it difficult to adjust to big cities. They come to these cities with a sense of innocence, and gradually, their personality changes drastically. It becomes a battle of survival in a big town for them. That's what my film is about,' he explains. In his debut, Yuva played a gig worker; he portrayed the toil of a food delivery person. Did Ekka push him to think from the perspective of those struggling to adapt to the unpredictable work conditions? 'I play a cab driver in the movie. Cab drivers are some of the hardest-working people. They work for than 20 hours, don't have a proper house, and even eat at odd hours. I travelled in cabs and spoke to several drivers as part of the preparation for the character. One common aspect among them is the dream to achieve something big.' A section of Puneeth Rajkumar fans expect Yuva to fill the void left by the superstar, who passed away tragically at the age of 45 in 2021 due to a cardiac arrest. Yuva says he can never replace his uncle. 'I understand that people are slightly reminded of him when they see me. We might have some facial resemblances because we are from the same family. However, it's impossible to fill the void left by him. I can only think of enhancing my own identity and reputation with my work. That said, he (Puneeth) would act in a certain number of films a year, ensuring work for so many people in the industry. That's the void that I and other upcoming actors must try to fill. We must do more films for the benefit of the industry,' opines Yuva. Padaki says one of the biggest lessons from Ekka is the advantage of collaborating with young actors. 'It's easier to shoot movies quickly with young actors. For instance, 90 per cent of Ekka was shot on live locations. The entire film takes place in the heart of Bengaluru. It would have been impossible to plan such a movie with big stars due to the fans who mob them.' ALSO READ:Explained: The delay behind star-driven Kannada films You don't often see three producers collaborating for a film in the Kannada film industry. 'If three banners are involved in funding a project, the shoot will run smoothly,' points out Padaki. 'When the producers are so responsive, it becomes your responsibility to finish the project on time. Almost every day, we shot in different locations. Imagine shooting in 70 locations in 70 days! The production team has to be on top of their game in such a scenario. Not once did we go to sets clueless, and we are happy with how the film has come out,' he adds.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Yuva Rajkumar teams up with Suri for his third film
Kannada actor Yuva Rajkumar, who debuted with Yuva, is currently working on his second film Ekka. The actor, nephew of superstar Puneeth Rajkumar, has announced his next. Yuva has teamed up with seasoned director Suri for his next. The movie will be produced by Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, Karthik Gowda and Yogi G Raj and Jayanna and Bhogendra under the banners PRK Productions, KRG Studios and Jayanna Combines respectively. ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದಿನ ಚಿತ್ರದ ಪೂಜೆ ಇಂದು ಅಕ್ಷಯ ತೃತೀಯ ಶುಭದಿನದಂದು ನೆರವೇರಿತು! 🤩 ಎಂದಿನಂತೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಹಾರೈಕೆಗಳು, ಆಶೀರ್ವಾದಗಳು ನಮ್ಮ ತಂಡದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸದಾ ಹೀಗೆ ಇರಲಿ! The Muhurtha of our next film took place today on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya! May your wishes and blessings be upon our team as… — YuvaRajkumar (@yuva_rajkumar) April 30, 2025 The makers announced the project on April 30, 2025. Actor Duniya Vijay's daughter, Rithnya Vijay, will play the female lead in the movie. Suri's regular collaborators Charan Raj and Shekhar Chandra will handle the music and cinematography respectively. Veteran editor Deepu S Kumar has been roped in for the movie. ALSO READ:'Ekka': Yuva Rajkumar's second film to be directed by Rohit Padaki Yuva is currently shooting for Ekka, directed by Rohit Padaki of Rathnan Prapanchafame. The makers released a teaser of Ekka, which is touted to be an action drama. The actor made his debut with Yuva (2024), directed by Santhosh Ananddram.
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Suri-Yuva Film Launched: Duniya Vijay's Daughter Ritanya to Play Lead
Bengaluru: On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a new Kannada film starring Yuvrajkumar and directed by renowned filmmaker Suri was officially launched in a simple muhurtha ceremony at the Subramanya Temple in Bengaluru. The film also marks the lead debut of Ritanya Vijay Kumar, daughter of Sandalwood star Duniya Vijay. The project brings together top production banners—PRK Productions (founded by the late Puneeth Rajkumar and now managed by Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar), KRG Studios (owned by Karthik Gowda and Yogi G Raj), and Jayanna Films (Jayanna-Bhoganna duo)—under one roof. Even before the release of their upcoming film Ekka, these production houses have now announced this promising venture. The launch was attended by key members of the film industry including the Yuva family, Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, Karthik Gowda, Yogi G Raj, and director Suri. The clapperboard for the first shot was given by Duniya Vijay himself, while Dhriti Puneeth Rajkumar, daughter of the late Puneeth Rajkumar, switched on the camera. Known for his gritty, realistic filmmaking, Suri is expected to bring a fresh portrayal of Yuvrajkumar, adding to the curiosity surrounding this collaboration. The film will be Ritanya Vijay Kumar's second outing, following her debut alongside her father in Land Lord. For Yuvrajkumar, this marks his third film. The technical crew includes Deepu S Kumar (editing), Charan Raj (music), Santhosh (art direction), and Shekar (cinematography). Shooting is expected to begin by the end of May, with production on a grand scale. Meanwhile, Ekka, starring Yuvrajkumar and directed by Rohit Padaki, is slated for a June release. The film's teaser and title track have already generated significant buzz online.
New Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Yuva Rajkumar's Ekka look mirrors Puneeth Rajkumar's Jackie aura
As Ekka gears for release on June 6, 2025, the team dropped a teaser on Yuva Rajkumar's birthday — and the sneak peek strikes a chord as a throwback, a subtle nod to the iconic Jackie era. Yuva's look — complete with face paint, rugged costume, whistle, and shades — instantly evokes memories of his uncle, the late Power Star Puneeth Rajkumar, and his unforgettable swag. The teaser brings its own flavour — darker, bolder, and brimming with tension. Yuva is seen wielding a sword, slashing through shadows. In the heart of the mayhem, innocence screams the loudest,followed by a punch line from the character played by Yuva Rajkumar: "My mother says that there is a childlike innocence… and an animal in me." And just when you think it can't get more cryptic, he throws in: 'Separate your wet and dry waste, the planet will thank you.' What's the connection between waste segregation and morality? Director Rohit Padaki, through Ekka , seems to be working with layers of metaphor, street justice, and maybe something more. The film also has Sampada and Sanjana Anand as the female leads. along with Atul Kulkarni and Deadly Aditya in prominent roles. With music by Charan Raj, visuals by Satya Hegde,the editing is by Deepu S Kumar. The film is made with a collaboration with Karthik Gowda and Yogi G. Rao of KRG Studios, Jayanna and Bhogendra of Jayanna Films, and Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar's PRK Productions. Ekka is now in its final phase of shooting.
