A movie that puts the spotlight on Mandya

K Mahesh Sukhadhare

is from

Mandya

(Karnataka), and since his connection with his hometown is so strong, he has worked on a script that places Mandya in the limelight. Not only has a large part of his upcoming film

Happy Birthday

been shot there, the audio launch of the film is also set to take place there on July 23 ' amid celebrities from the film industry who are from the region.

'Just like there is a certain point where a river is born, which later flows all over the country, Mandya is the place where creativity is born. It is a small city, which has always prioritized literature, art and creativity. So many well-known authors are from here. So many people who are part of the

Kannada

film industry are from here ' so much so that a lot of the main technicians from our film, including me, the director, are from here,' explains Mahesh.

And almost synonymous with Mandya is actor-politician Ambareesh, who Mahesh feels has been the lucky charm of many stars in the industry too. 'Everybody who Ambareesh has introduced and worked with closely has gone on to become a huge star. He has, in a way, been instrumental in shaping the future of actors like Darshan, Sudeep and Yash, who are big stars today. Ambareesh has consented to now introduce Sachin and Samskruti Shenoy, who debut with Happy Birthday ' and that is the kind of encouragement and support all newcomers dream of,' says Mahesh, who adds that Ambareesh will be the chief guest at the oncoming audio launch too. Others celebrities who will be present include Darshan, Yash, Srinagara Kitty and Chikkanna.