Naveen Reddy: I believe emotion is bigger than action
Naveen Reddy B may be just one film old as a director—with Khaki marking his debut—but he brings over 20 years of experience in the Kannada film industry. Now, with his second film Maadeva set to release on June 6, he hopes this marks a defining moment in his journey: from an assistant director working behind the scenes to a storyteller confidently bringing his own vision to the screen. 'I've worked with many directors and across all kinds of films,' says Naveen. 'Luck and time need to meet. Until then, you evolve.' Unlike Khaki, Naveen has written the story of Maadeva himself. The film follows the life of a hangman, portrayed by Vinod Prabhakar, but according to the director, it is not about the technicalities of capital punishment. 'It's not about procedures. It's about the hangman's emotional life—his family, his struggles, his connection with society. It's brutal, yes, but also deeply human,' Naveen explains.
Vinod, known for his image as an action star, has been given a multi-dimensional role in this film. 'I believe emotion is universal—bigger than action. In the last 40 minutes, audiences won't see Vinod Prabhakar—they'll see Maadeva,' he says confidently. Each actor was cast with intent. Sonal Monteiro plays a layered female lead, while Srinagar Kitty, Shruti, and Malashree bring complex shades to their characters. 'Shruti was surprised I approached her for a negative role. Malashree has a pivotal part that involves action. Even Cockroach Sudhir, though his screen time is brief, plays a vital role.' Vinod's physical transformation was meticulously crafted, including wearing lenses throughout the shoot. 'That alone was a challenge—shooting day after day with lenses. But it helped to show a completely different side of him.'
Maadeva releases alongside Kamal Haasan's Thug Life, but Naveen remains unfazed. 'Yes, Kamal sir has a huge fan base, but in the end, it's about the story. Today, there's a shortage of strong Kannada films. Audiences are eager for meaningful local cinema. I believe they'll judge us fairly on the first day, first show.' Maadeva has stunt direction by Different Danny, Real Satish, and Vikram More, cinematography by Balakrishna Thota, editing by Vijay M. Kumar; and art direction by Guna.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
19 minutes ago
- The Hindu
‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu': Pawan Kalyan's film locks a release date
After multiple delays, Pawan Kalyan's movie Hari Hara Veera Mallu has locked its latest release date. The pan-Indian movie, originally shot in Telugu, is directed by Jyothi Krishna and Krish Jagarlamudi. The makers first aimed to release the movie on March 29, 2025. However, the big-budget movie got pushed to May 09, 2025. Owing to delays in the post-production work, Hari Hara Veera Mallu thengot postponed to June 12, 2025. Reports hinted at further delay of the movie due to complex VFX work. On June 21, 2025 (Saturday), the makers announced a fresh release date. The historical film is now set to hit the screens worldwide on July 24, 2025. 'Witness the Battle for truth, faith and freedom in cinemas worldwide on July 24, 2025,' the makers wrote on social media. The movie is produced by A Dayakar Rao under the banner Mega Surya Productions. Veteran producer AM Rathnam will present the movie, which will be dubbed in Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam. ALSO READ:Nidhhi Agerwal interview: I felt like Alice in Wonderland on the sets of 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' The period action drama revolves around the titular character, Veera Mallu, a rebellious outlaw. Bobby Deol, who essays the role of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, plays the antagonist in the movie. Niddhi Agerwal is the female lead of the film. Anupam Kher, Jisshu Sengupta, Nargis Fakhri, M Nassar, Sunil, Raghu Babu, Subbaraju and Nora Fatehi are the other actors in the movie. The film will have music from Oscar-award winning composer MM Keeravani, while Manoj Paramahamsa has served as the cinematographer. Veteran Thota Tharani is the art director of the movie.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Mohanlal unwilling to contest if AMMA holds elections; General body meeting to be held soon; details inside
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) The internal affairs of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) have once again taken center stage as crucial decisions regarding its leadership are set to be discussed at the general body meeting scheduled in Kochi on Sunday. Mohanlal stands firm on his decision According to Asianet News, superstar Mohanlal, who was previously serving as the president, has made it clear that he will not take up the post again if elections are held. Meanwhile, actor Unni Mukundan has formally stepped down from his role as treasurer, reaffirming his disinterest in continuing in any official capacity within the organization. Mohanlal unwilling to continue if elections happen While the ad-hoc committee had earlier recommended that Mohanlal continue as AMMA's president, the actor has now conveyed that he will not take up the role if a formal election is held. Kannappa - Official Kannada Trailer The committee had last met on May 31, where members expressed their collective desire for Mohanlal to stay on. However, the final decision now rests with the general body, which is also expected to deliberate on appointing actor Babu Raj as the new general secretary. Unni Mukundan steps away from leadership Unni Mukundan has decided to exit from his position as treasurer, citing a lack of interest in holding organizational posts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo As a result, the position will now be passed on to a new member to be selected by the association. Unni Mukundan had earlier shared a social media note on the same, that read, "Dear All, I hope this message finds you well. After much thought and reflection, I have made the difficult decision to step down from my role as the Treasurer (AMMA)." On the work front, Mohanlal was last seen in Tharun Moorthy's drama thriller 'Thudarum' which marked the comeback of the actor after a series of underwhelming movies.
Fashion Value Chain
2 hours ago
- Fashion Value Chain
Himalaya BabyCare Celebrates Dads with #GentleAsDad Film
Himalaya BabyCare, India's most trusted baby wellness brand, unveiled its touching new Father's Day campaign #GentleAsDad, anchored by an emotional DVC inspired by the iconic Kannada song 'I Love You Appa.' The digital film traces the timeless bond between a father and his daughter, portraying moments of tenderness from infancy to adulthood. Set to a stirring soundtrack recreated in six Indian languages—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, and Bengali—the film captures everyday rituals of affection, such as applying Himalaya's Baby Massage Oil and Lotion, highlighting the father as a silent nurturer in the backdrop of his daughter's growth. The story unfolds through a symbolic photo album and culminates in a powerful wedding-day moment, reinforcing the enduring emotional imprint of a father's gentle care. 'With this campaign, we wanted to honour the subtle strength and tenderness that define fatherhood,' said Chakravarthi N V, Director – BabyCare, Himalaya Wellness Company. He emphasized that the #GentleAsDad campaign aims to celebrate fathers as protectors, playmates, and the quiet constants in every child's life. Himanshu Arora, Co-Founder of Social Panga, added, 'The recreated song and multilingual storytelling make this narrative universally relatable. It's a tribute to how a daughter is always her father's little girl, no matter her age.' Now live on YouTube and Instagram, the campaign invites audiences to share their own heartfelt memories under the hashtag #GentleAsDad. ▶️ Watch the film: YouTube Link
