'Saavira Mettilu' - revived from the ashes...

The story is all about a wonderful survival and resurrection of a movie, perhaps, there may not be such many in the industry. The blueprints of this film were languishing for more than 35 years in the laboratory. The film is 'Saavira Mettilu', means thousand steps, originally directed by Late Puttanna Kanagal, one among Kannada's most creative directors.

The producer D.B.Basavegowda decided to give a fitting tribute his friend Puttanna Kanagal and he revived his 'Saavira Mettilu'. Thus, Puttanna's friend Ravi got the offer to complete the film. He renovated the entire script as fit to the new trends. The committed Ravi paid attention even to the nuances of the film so as to recreate it beyond his dear friend Puttana's expectations. The movie released on 27th October.

Singing & acting for a film may not be big thing for Dr.S.P.Balasubramanyam. But he has something special and sentimental about it. He rendered the play back for 'Saavira Mettilu', which was launched 38 years ago, but getting released only now. He considered Puttanna Kanagal, the director who wields the megaphone 38 years ago for the film, as one of the great legends of the South Indian cinema. He remembers him as a trend setter than a trend follower.

For Jayanthi, the only actress who has been part of the film when it was started 38 years ago, the experience of working in this film has been a passage of reviving memories.

'Savira Mettilu' was based on a love story written by Puttanna and the backdrop was the Chamundi Mountain which had thousand steps. Puttanna wrote some moving letters to Basavegowda to revive the project, but unfortunately, the revival of the film did not take place.

Even when Basavegowda was ready with finances after three years, there was reluctance from of Puttanna to take up completion of the project. However, Basavegowda remained Puttanna's confidant for many years later and even wrote a Biography of the director which won him a state award. Two years ago he decided to finish the project by some additional shots and get released.

Veteran artists like Mukyamantri Chandru, Doddanna, Master Hirananaiah and Shivakumar have also been part of the film for showing their respects to the most talented and colorful film director of the Kannada film industry.

The remaining portions were shot with the assistance of K.S.L.Swame. Many of Puttanna's protégés like Ambareesh, Ramakrishna, Sundar

Raj, B.V. Radha, Padma Vasanthi, Lakshmidevi, Vaishali Kasaravalli,

Hemachaudhary, B.Jaya, Girija Lokesh, Ashalatha, Shivaram, Pranavamurthy, G.K.

Govinda Rao have worked with 'Saavira Mettilu', who have once worked in Puttanna's films without demanding anything.

K.S.L.Swame with the support of Musician and flute specialist Pravin Godkindi completed the background score of the film. Late Vijayabhasker had composed the music for the film and the lyrics of the songs were provided by Dr. Nanjaraj Urs, Kanagal Prabhakara Shastri, Vijayanarasimha, R.N.Jayagopal and Prof.Aa.Ra. Mitra. The re- rerecording task for this film was done at Chamundeswari studio. Well known singers S.Janaki, P.Susheela, L.R.Ishwari, P.B.Srinivos have lent their voice for these songs.

R. Manjunath, R.N.K. Prasad and D.V.Rajaram, are the three cinematographers who had associated with 'Saavira Mettilu'.