Mangalorean director Sandeep Malani debuts in Bollywood

MANGALORE: Mangalorean director Sandeep Malani’s debut Hindi movie to be screened across the state on November 2. The movie ‘Janleva 555’, according to the director, is a humble tribute to Bollywood actor Sridevi. Sandeep, a die hard fan of Sridevi, told reporters here that the film was shot entirely in Karnataka in beautiful locations of Bangalore, Madhugiri, Tumkur outskirts and Kodagu. “It is a Hindi movie by Kannadigas. All the artists who worked for the movie are Kannadigas and noted Kannada actor Anant Nag returns to Hindi cinema after 20 years through Janleva 555. It is also a tribute to 100 years of Indian cinema andYash Chopra,” said Sandeep, who is also the script and screenplay writer of the movie. Produced by Kalpana Pandit, the movie has been directed and scripted by Sandeep Malani. The uniqueness of the film is that it has 15 songs of which 6 are Hindi Songs, 3 English Tracks and the rest being musical and instrumental piece. It also introduces 10 new comers and 9 music directors - Dev Chauhan, Ameya Naik, Faizal Hussain, Agnel Roman, Yug Bhusal, Nishanth Varghese, Rahul Mehalwal, Lokesh and Prakash. New comers are Akash Hora, Mann Hora, Anant Joshi, Ranjeet Jha, Rajeev, Mohammed Vassem, Willy Manchanda, Shona Chabra, Babli Dutta and Cliff Janke (from the US). In addition, American music composers Mike Paul Hughes and Bradley G Janke too worked for the movie, he said.“Being a die hard fan of Sridevi, I have dedicated this film to her. She has seen the film and appreciated me too. A song in the movie has been dedicated to the film maker Yash Chopra. The film is also a tribute to Harmesh Malhotra's 'Nagina' and 'Nigahen,” Sandeep said adding that a percentage of the profits from the film will be used to donate ventilators to rural hospitals which have anti-snake venom units.Sandeep had earlier directed films ‘SMS 6260’ and ‘Miss California’ and did two short films Jo Jo Laali and Shaayad. He also worked as an Associate director to the national award film ‘I AM’ (by Onir).