Iconic Mangaluru chapel, St Aloysius, allows film shoot for first time; may be last

For the first time, and probably the last, the iconic St Aloysius chapel in Mangaluru, which is world-renowned for its heritage fresco paintings, will soon be seen on celluloid in the Kannada flick, Murphy. The chapel, which dates back to 1885, has strict rules in place owing to its historic background and the centuries-old paintings that span its famed walls, has never allowed cameras in until date. “However, the esteemed authorities of the college made a rare exception for our team and for the first and probably the last time, cameras were allowed inside to shoot,” shares Prabhu Mundkur, the leading man of the movie.

He shares how the team prepared a detailed presentation of the scenes that would be shot in the premises and was shown to the college officials before they sought a go-ahead. “Once they got to know that the content would not go against the sanctity and spirit of the chapel, we got permission to shoot. What actually helped us clinch it is that I am an alumnus of the college and my teachers have always liked me. The chapel has always been a place of solace during college days and I took it up as a commitment to ensure that the greatest care is taken while shooting in such a delicate environment,” says Prabhu.

Directed by BS Pradeep Varma, the film has key scenes featuring Prabhu, Roshni Prakash and Ila Veermalla, that are shot both in the college and chapel. “We shot in the chapel for four days and I was so proud that finally everyone will get to see the grandeur and splendour of our chapel on the big screen,” sums up Prabhu, who has also co written the story, screenplay with Pradeep and worked as associate director on the film.

The chapel is a replicaThe St Aloysius chapel is a replica of the Sistine chapel in Rome. While on the ceiling canvases, its walls feature fresco paintings. It’s said that Antonio Moscheni, the legendary painter behind it, took two-and-a-half years to finish it. He made his own vegetable dyes to produce these works of art.