On Thursday, the Kannada film world lost its yesteryear hero, its pioneer in satire films, Kashinath to cancer. The 67-year-old actor-director who spent nearly four decades in cinema was known for films like 'Anubhava', 'Avale Nanna Hendathi,' and suspense-thrillers like 'Aparachita.' Many of his films tackled social evils like the dowry system and he made a name for himself through the 80s for his experimental themes. What set him apart was also that he wanted to give back to the film world as much as possible – thus, mentoring a bevy of current-day film stars.
One of his 'shishyas' who later became hugely popular is Upendra -- nicknamed 'Real Star' and 'Uppi' to his fans in Sandalwood. He started off as an assistant director under Kashinath. Upendra, who says he learnt his 'ABCD of cinema from Kashinath,' recalls his 28-year-long association with Kashinath in this memoir for News18.
About 28 years ago, I went and met him along with my poems, plays - the ones that I had written. I was in college then. He gave me an opportunity to work with him from there on. Until 3 pm (every evening) I used to be in college, and after 3 pm, I used to work with him. I would write songs for him. Even for (film) shoots, he would take me along after college.
At first I wrote a song for his 1989 film ‘Anantana Avantara’ called ‘Come On, Come On, Kaamanna’. He also made me act in that. Then I wrote a script for another film called ‘Ajagajantara’ in which I worked as an associate director. I worked with him for three to four years. Then worked in a lot of films outside.
There is a lot to learn from him. He would both produce and direct sometimes, so he would plan so well. For more than a year, I sat with him and learnt. For any newcomer, he’s a university of knowledge. I cannot forget a single moment with him.
Nobody knew about his admission in the hospital last two days. He did not let anyone know. Everybody was surprised. I spoke to him fifteen days ago. Even then, he did not say anything about his condition. Even his people (family) did not tell me. He doesn’t like telling all these problems to anyone.
Kashinath, in his movies, touched upon social evil topics like dowry and harassment of women. His movies back then were very impactful. The one song like “Meese hotta gandasige demandappo demandu” (from 'Avale Nanna Hendathi' which dealt with the heavy theme of the dowry system in a witty manner) was a major hit back then. He had projected a common man hero in the movie.
It was a very bold move back then, to have touched upon topics that were taboo and were criticised. All the movies he has directed are my favourites. Aparachitha would be the one at the top of my mind.
He would train us in everything. From choreography to dubbing, every department we could work in. He would let us do everything, try out all aspects of film-making. Working with him in a film in itself was like going to a film school. He was a self-made person, so he had his own way of approaching everything. He would go in-depth into every angle of it. He was a like a scientist in the industry.
I was very close to his family. I was living there for three years when I began (trying to find my foothold in the film world).
My entry into politics was a sudden decision, so I had not discussed it with him earlier. Later, he spoke to me, and blessed me. He said it was a good decision. He told me not to change, ever, for any reason. My last conversation with him was also about my political entry. He was coughing. He drank some water and continued talking. I did not know even then, how seriously ill he was. I told him about my plans for an election manifesto. He said he had seen it and said it was good and that I should continue in the same path.
There are a lot of memories about him. He never lost his temper, even if we did. There was this one time, when I lost my temper, I was very upset. He calmed me down and continued work. He is my guru. He could have become upset with me for this, but that was not the case.
(Editor's Note: Understandably, Upendra refers to Kashinath in the present tense through all of his conversation to News18. Like many other actors who have been mentored by Kashinath, he too hasn't come to terms with the death.)
(As told to Revathi Rajeevan)
Comments
0 comment