Mangaluru is not a backdrop, it is the hero in Maarnami: Rishith Shetty

As he gears up for his debut film Maarnami, releasing on February 20, director Rishith Shetty says the idea took shape during a Dasara conversation with a friend. “He gave me a line around Dasara and we built a love story around it,” he says.The title itself reflects his roots. “Maarnami in coastal Kannada means Mahanavami. I am from Mangaluru, and its culture is what I know in and out. It would not make sense for me to direct a film set anywhere else.”Produced by Gunadya Productions and Shilpa Nishanth, the film draws inspiration from the Kannada composition Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage, narrated in the trailer by Sudeep. “The song about the tiger and the cow reflects the good and bad in my lead character,” he explains.Actor Ritvvikk Mathad was his first choice for Chetu. “We’ve worked together on television. I knew he was right.” Actress Chaitra Achar joined later. “Once the script was ready, I felt no one else could play the role,” he explains. Blending action, romance, drama and family emotion, Maarnami has already premiered in Mangaluru and Mysuru ahead of release. “The response so far has been very encouraging,” he says.