Sri Murali's new films Harikathe and Sihi Gaali

Kannada actor Sri Murali’s films Sri Harikathe and Sihi Gaali are fighting it out for simultaneous release. He used to be known as just Murali when he shot one of the two films.

Not many would expect a problem of plenty for kannada movie hero Sri Murali. But that is exactly what he is facing. Sri Harikathe, the film in which he stars opposite the Gandhi sisters, Pooja and Radhika, was to release on March 12. The film is facing unexpected competition from Sihi Gaali, in which Sri Murali stars opposite Shirin. This film with Lekhan as the director started in early 2008 and has struggled to the stage of being ready for release over two years.

The new director and new producer of new kannada film Sihi Gaali want precedence over Sri Harikathe for release and the matter reached the problem solving bureau of Sandalwood also known as Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Sihi Gaali was started when Sri Murali was still known as Murali. His father Chinne Gowda is one of the producers of Sri Harikathe.

The meeting in the Film Chamber developed into an argument between old and new producers. Finally, the Chamber washed its hands off saying the two filmmakers settle the issue between themselves. “We are newcomers. We need to be encouraged,” was the argument of the Sihi Gaali producer which did not cut ice with the senior producers N Kumar and Chinne Gowda who said, “Our problems are bigger.” In all likelihood both the films will release on the same day now.

Shiva Rajkumar’s 100th kannada film Jogayya

With much fanfare, and in the presence of none other than the chief minister of the state, the 100th kannada film of Shiva Rajkumar Jogayya was recently announced by director Prem and his producer-wife Rakshita. The film’s shooting was supposed to commence on April 24 and release by the year end. But going by the recent developments, the film’s shooting may begin only in the second half of this year and release in 2011, the 25th year of Shiva Rajkumar’s film career.

The actor’s new kannada film Sugreeva will release this Friday. Then there is Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu and Tapassu scheduled for this year. Producer Kanakapura Srinivas has the dates and commitment from the actor for the 99th film. It has proved to be a jinx so far. Director Raghava Loki was to direct the film but his story demanded a big budget and has been put on hold. Then R Chandru announced that it would be his film Mailari that would fill the slot. But due to the problem with the title and the story, this film has also missed the line up.

Kanakapura Srinivas will remain the producer, but the story and director for the 99th film still remains a suspense. Prem, with a little more than expected time on his hands, is said to be considering returning to acting now. Interestingly, R Chandru was to direct Prem in Male as the hero but the two are not in talking terms.