First things first!

A film of many firsts, the Upendra-starrer Godfather sure has a lot to offer to the discerning Sandalwood filmy fan. The film, which is a remake of the 2006 hit Tamil film Varalaru, starring Ajith, will mark the debut of music maestro AR Rahman in the Kannada film industry. Popular cinematographer of films like Tere Naam, Shakti and Milenge Milenge, Sethu Sriram, will also foray into the Kannada industry as a director for the first time.

Director Sriram expects a similar, stupendous response for Godfather which hits the screens on March 23. “I can’t imagine anyone else other than Upendra playing this role,” reveals Sriram. “I waited for almost two years to get him to say yes to the part, but then it was well worth the wait,’ he adds.

The film will see Upendra in the role of a father as well as a son. The role of the father, Sriram says, has immense scope for performance. “There is a sequence in the film, where Upendra has to play the role of a dancer, one that has shades of femininity in it. Initially, he was very apprehensive about the role, but I must say, he has pulled it off brilliantly.” Sriram is all praise for Real Star Upendra’s acting skills and his thorough professionalism. “As long as you are sure of what you are doing, Upendra is the kind of actor who will do whatever you say,” Sriram says, adding, “Even if I had to do more than 6 to 10 takes for a shot, he would willingly oblige. He’s a director’s actor through and through.”

AR Rahman, who scored the music for the original, will be composing the music in the remake too. Sriram, who has known Rahman from his Roja days, claims he casually shot ARR an email and was very surprised when Rahman agreed. “I was completely taken aback,” he says. “He has also sung a song in Kannada,” he adds.

The film will also mark the debut of actress Bhumika Chawla in Sandalwood. Sriram was keen on roping in the actress to do a full-length role but her dates weren’t available. She will be seen in a cameo appearance in the opening song of the film. “Bhumika is a thorough professional,” says the director. “She came down from Dubai to shoot the song for just a day and went back.”