Karnataka chief minister launches new film

Bangalore, Jan 18 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumarswamy, who was into film distribution and production earlier, has launched a new Kannada film "Meera Madhava Raghava".

The film, being produced by the chief minister, was launched on Makar Sankranti Jan 14. It will be directed by well-known television personality T. N. Seetharam.

"I promise you that work on my film will start soon. It will certainly be a quality film," chief minister had said at the launch function.

Before foraying into politics, Kumaraswamy was a full time producer and distributor. He owns Chennambika theatre in his native town of Holenarasipur.

His first production, "Suryavamsha" starring Vishnuvardhan and directed by S. Narayan, was a silver jubilee hit. The film also introduced Isha Koppiker as a heroine before she forayed in Bollywood.

It was followed by a comedy "Galaate Aliyandiru", in which Shivaraj Kumar and Sakshi Shivanand played lead roles.

His "Chandra Chakori", released in 2004, ran almost for a year in Belgaum and was the biggest hit of the year.

He has announced that he will be make a film called "Hejje" which is based on a novel by Vyasaraya Ballala with the freedom struggle as its backdrop.