Shivaji is the Sherlock Holmes of Karnataka: Ramesh Aravind

Actor Ramesh Aravind and director Akash Srivatsa bring back their detective franchise in a second avatar - Shivaji Surathkal 2 - The mysterious case of Maayavi. The movie slated to release on April 14, is expected to be an edge-of-the-seat-thriller with an emotional arc.

Ramesh, in the lead role, as Shivaji Surathkal, feels that the emotional trials of the character, his dysfunctional relationship with himself and family, is what sets Shivaji apart from others in the genre. “Shivaji Surathkal is the Sherlock Holmes of Karnataka. What sets Shivaji apart is the emotional depth. We rarely get to see the vulnerable side of detectives. Like other detectives, Shivaji, too, is brilliant, sharp and astute. Yet, he has terrible personal problems. To see heroes with problems is rare as most are in control. But, Shivaji has many problems - hallucinations, insomnia, migraines, his wife is dead but he sees her, thus is on psychiatric meds. In SS2, he is a bit sorted, can manage, but still suffers. Amidst this, he has to solve others’ problems. It makes for an interesting premise and a refreshing character.”

‘Human brains are wired to solve whodunnits’
Calling the human mind curious and always looking for answers, Ramesh explains, “Human brains are wired to solve whodunnits. We cannot pass a road accident without wondering who did it. The beauty of detective films is that the audience is made to wear a thinking cap. As the story unfolds, they think about who did it. My job is to round it off for them.”
Shivaji, as a franchise, is also flexible as time travel! “SS2 takes place six years after Ranagiri Rahasya (the first instalment). In these six years, Shivaji would have solved innumerable cases. But only I get to choose the timeline- when to tell what story,” he adds.

Third instalment on the cards
Director Akash Srivatsava feels first time watchers will also enjoy the second coming. “The beauty of SS-2 is that those who watched the first film will connect the dots, and those watching it for the first time, will see it as an independent film. The emotional graph of the lead actor goes a notch higher, exploring a dysfunctional relationship between a father-son, and father-daughter. Actor Naseer, who plays Shivaji’s father, is also a cop. There is also a six-year-old girl, who plays Ramesh’s daughter. Shivaji is a complicated man, and how he rises above it to bring up his child is explored.”
In addition, Srivatsava feels it ties some loose ends of the first instalment and adds some more that leads to SS3.