Exclusive: 25 years on, team America America takes a trip down memory lane

This Monday was special for Kannada film buffs, as one of the most loved romantic musicals and the first Kannada film to be shot almost entirely in the USA, America America, celebrated 25 years of its release.
The film, directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, has Ramesh Aravind, Hema Prabhat (credited in the film as Hema Panchamukhi) and Akshay Anand in lead roles. The team felicitated all those who were special and part of their journey, shared some anecdotes and had some songs from the evergreen album sung live.

Ramesh Aravind, who won awards and accolades for his performance in the film, said, "Recently, when I was in America, they asked me why we couldn’t make this film again.I told them that we cannot make this film again, as everything has changed. We will have to instead christen it Bharatha Bharatha. Like the way we had Surya, Shashank and Bhoomi then, in America you will have Sam-sun, Lunar and Terra, who want to go to India, where everything is good. But back then, when we made the film, the brain drain was real. In fact, 90 per cent of my classmates were in the US. It was that situation which Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar chose to take it as a base for his film. I laud the director and producer for making a film that was entirely shot there. There are some films that remain as your signature film in your career, America America is one such."


Bollywood and Hindi television actor Akshay shared, "I might have done some good work across different industries, but I find it amazing that when someone asks about my biggest hit, it is a Kannada film. I find it sad that I could not grasp the language, but the love I receive for my character and the film even now is immense. A little-known fact is that it was Ramesh, with whom I had just worked in a Bollywood film, who recommended me for this role. They were looking for someone suave and who looked like he resided in the US. I already had a visa and had just then completed a Malayalam film too. This was why I felt this would be a great opportunity and I am glad that I got selected for the film."
America America is an unparalleled role: Hema
Actress and danseuse Hema thanked veteran actor Dattanna for recommending her for this role. "There are some roles that are unparalleled and America America is one such. This was why I became reluctant and choosy after such a good role. We had a great time on the set. While I have been a dancer and choreographer for stage shows, it was a completely different experience when I tried my hand at choreography for the Hegide Nam Desha song, where I got to learn more of the craft in terms of framing, etc. This film and team will remain a special part of my life," she added.
My wife Shobha was my backbone for this film: Nagathihalli
Filmmaker Nagathihalli said that he found great support in his wife Shobha for making this film. "She was my backbone, as she worked as my executive producer for this film. She was working in an IT MNC and based in the US then, which ensured I had a base there. Out there, she was the person who would set out and go and find permissions for us to shoot at different locations every day. She worked relentlessly. We artistes thank our spouses for their help and inspiration and people might think that is cliched, but this film would not have been possible without her by my side," he revealed.