Dinakar Thoogudeepa is gearing up for the release of his next directorial, Royal, with Viraat in the lead, which will be in theatres on January 24. The film is his return to direction after 2019’s Life Jothe Ond Selfie. But if Kannada cinema’s Power Star Puneeth Rajkumar had not passed away unexpectedly in October 2021, Dinakar would have had a different career path. At the time of Puneeth’s tragic demise, Dinakar had already spent a year-and-a-half in scripting and pre-production of a film with the actor for Jayanna Films. This was to be Puneeth’s 32nd film.
Dinakar Thoogudeepa, Puneeth Rajkumar with producers Jayanna and Bhogendra
When he then announced that he was making a film with Viraat, the question everyone had was whether it was based on the script he had for Puneeth. While that is not the case, Dinakar is determined to utilize that script at some point, as Puneeth was very excited about it and how the filmmaker would present him in a pucca commercial film. He has given no thought to who he would like to cast in the film, but says that when he makes it, it will probably be produced by Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar’s PRK Productions.
During the promotions of Royal, Dinakar had spoken at length about the time he narrated a basic plot to Puneeth, which the Power Star liked and asked the filmmaker to develop further. Puneeth was aware of the final version of the script and had not asked for any changes, which, Dinakar says, is a mark of how much he liked the story and its potential. Hence, the filmmaker wants audiences to see this film.
Dinakar will make the script meant for Puneeth with Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar’s PRK Productions
He has not set a timeline to this project, though, as his next two directorials will be within the family. Dinakar will launch his sister Divya’s son Chandu in his next film after Royal, which will, ideally, be followed by a movie with his brother, Challenging Star Darshan.
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