PREM AND RAVI CLASH
Prem Opportunist Says Producer Balraj

Report by - CNB               Photos - K.M. VEERESH                            Date -03rd March  2004 

This is the story of how a person from poverty catapults to the position of power in a short span by sheer luck and command in his profession with corrupt and insecure mind with false prestige and claims.

Director of ‘Kariya’ Prem alias Kiran Kumar (this is Prem’s original name) making serious allegations on one of his associates Ravindra (who is now up to direct ‘Valentines Day’ Kannada film) that he does not know the job and he run away from my film has further lead to serious complications. For the utter carelessness on the part of director Prem the producer of ‘Kariya’ Anekal Balraj has exposed the poor ability of Prem.

Here is what the innocent and intelligent Ravindra has to say:
With an aspiration to become a dancer in childhood I have learnt dancing at Kalaranga. Later I intended to become an artist. I joined CAVA in Mysore. My friend Shivakumar introduced me to Prem. After a few days of time the discussion of ‘Kariya’ began. Khan, Anil Joshi and others were also in a team formed. All inside work was managed by me and others. Prem was doing the outside work. When the posters were made before the start of the film my name was included without fail. There was some gap then I stopped going to discussion. But Prem told me that he has lot of confidence in me and we should all work together. Without you it is like not having mother he praised me. I wanted to take up associate director post but Shivakumar asked me to take up poster designing. Day and night without sleep we all worked and there pretty was good share of my work. When the shooting began Prem insisted that all of us call him as ‘Sir’. I assistated the dance director in the hit song Kenchalo Machalo. Then the professional jealousy picked up a lot. Prem had changed in his attitude. Even the invitation was designed by me. When there was no respect and Prem attitude had changed completely to his close friends I walked out. I was involved in 70 percent of the work. It rubbish on the part of Prem to say that I have not worked. I have not gone to Prem to work without payment I worked and what I got from Prem is scolding and belittling of my prestige says Ravindra.

But after coming out from the camp producer Anekal Balraj gave me the courage and offered direction for me. Had he not come to my rescue I don’t know where I would have been today in my life. He gave all courage and support to arrive at the subject. Hats off to producer Anekal Balaraj. 

What Jiya Ulla Khan Says
Prem met me during the work of Kariya film. At that time I was working for `Kanasugara’ film. I joined Prem’s team because of his pressure. At that time prem had just one line stroy of Kariya. Through Shivakumar we came to know about Ravindra and we all worked together. What ever we used to discuss it never happened. What Prem speaks is different, and what he does is different. So we had to come out of that unit.

WHAT THE PREM HAS GOT TO SAY – 
Ravindra was with me for only three days. When the continuity missed he walked out without telling. In invitation his name was there because he worked for three days. He does not know head and tail. Now he is directing a film for producer Balraj. He does not know work. I don’t know how he saves this producer from ‘Valentine Day’. He was not my associate. The only associate I have till today is Viji. Prem described this in a hurry and proceeded to Rameshwar. He is now taking up Thunta, Adda and Jogi. He is also on the way to become another Upendra.

PRODUCER ANEKAL BALARAJ LASHES OUT AT PREM
This Prem is good for nothing. He does not know the nuances of direction. For all the ground work done by Ravindra he has taken the credit. For eight months Ravindra worked for ‘Kariya’ at Sajjan lodge. From ‘Kariya’ title to various other works it is Ravindra who had done good job and not Prem. In fact Gurukiran music and publicity helped in the talk of the film.  Prem on the other hand cheated me like anything. For the muhuruth shot he spent Rs.4-5 lakhs. He told that all the portions would be maintained. See the film there is not even a single frame of muhuruth. He used to bring tankers of water. I spent lakhs on water. For 20 times water was pressed in to action. But hardly in one or two scenes could you see rain effect in ‘Kariya’. Prem is an unprepared man always. When a person like Ravindra showed his brilliance for a song sequence he was sent out. Looking pathetic Ravindra came to me for a job after a short gap. I have seen his work done for ‘Kariya’. Prem is a lie master. He has no gratitude. He makes high promises by bringing in big names and does nothing. 

Losing his temper producer Balraj disclosed that when he came to me for work he said only work is sufficient and no remuneration is required. But when the talk began about the film at the time for release he demanded Rs.2 lakhs payment. I gave that amount. Builder Chandrappa who introduced Prem to me says that one day he would be back on streets with hawai chappals. He is so disgusted with Prem. recalling the selection of hero Balraj says the incident in Mumbai. Prem took me to Mumbai to decide about actor Dhyan. For such a heavy subject of ‘Kariya’ I did tell him straight on that day. Dhyan does not suit. Prem has very poor ability and I as a producer tested him in many ways. For Kenchalo Machchalo… popular song he told that it is written by him. But lyricist raised objection to such plagiarism done by Prem. There is a vast difference between Prem and Ravindra. Ravindra is brilliant and he knows how to spend money. That’s why I have given him a job to write the subject. The subject he has done now is of national interest. He has done two more subjects and they are simply fantastic says Balraj.