Vishwa Cariappa aims to make 2-3 films a year

When realtor Vishwa Cariappa, whose San Group of Companies received the Fastest Growing Indian Company award at a recent International Achievers Conference, decided to diversify his business interests, films topped his list, as he believes that it is a medium that can give people valuable life lessons. So he launched his production wing, VSan Vision with the 2013 Kannada film, Auto Raja, starring Golden Star Ganesh.The plan, back then, says Vishwa, was to make films with the industry's A-list heroes. 'I wanted a big hero for my second film as well, but most of them had packed schedules and were not available at least for the next 2-3 years, so I decided to switch focus and get newbies on the job,' says the filmmaker. Among the first to join the ensemble cast was Yuvaraj, who, incidentally, was an employee at Vishwa's real estate firm, before he got his movie break with Asthitva. 'Yuvaraj's character has a dual shade in the film, and those who have seen his looks from the film have been saying that he can pull off both protagonist and antagonist roles. That is very encouraging,' says Vishwa.

Going ahead, VSan Vision will produce at least three films a year, towards which the filmmaker is in the process of setting up a state-of-the-art film studio in Bengaluru. As a producer who follows a hands-off approach to filmmaking, Vishwa is also particular about corporatizing the whole process to streamline it. And now, with Asthitva set for release this weekend, the filmmaker is hopeful of positive word-of-mouth feedback for his film. 'Small-budget films with relatively unknown casts rely on audience feedback and the first week at theatres is normally quite average. Business picks up only by the second week, by which time they are often edged out to make way for bigger releases. The Kannada film industry should work out a system to allow everyone a chance to survive,' Vishwa signs off.