It was a regular morning for those who climb Chamundi Hill every day. But a group of people, who were playing songs from the Kannada movie “Paramathma” and exercising near the Nandi Statue at around 7.30 am on 9th of January, 2011, were in for a surprise when suddenly the movie hero Puneeth Rajkumar himself appeared in front of them climbing the steps leading to the hill temple.

The excited fans gathered around him for his autograph and to click snaps with him. While continuing his climb, Puneeth, who was climbing barefoot along with his friends, had a brief chat with our Correspondent.

Excerpts:

How often do you climb the Hill?
I have been climbing the hill steps since 1996. Whenever I come to Mysore, I take time out to climb the Hill. When my father was alive, we would come by car and perform puja at the temple. Later, after I grew up, I started climbing the steps. Also, we compulsorily come to the temple for Navarathri.

And you climb because…
There are two reasons — fitness and devotion. Chamundeshwari is my family deity. Hence, after climbing, I offer prayers and head down. Occasionally, I go a little further than just climbing steps. My friend Neelakanta (boss) and I take the route down from Devi Kere and walk all the way upto Nanjangud temple to offer puja! Apart from this, I learn yoga whenever in Mysore for fitness.

What brought you to Mysore this time?
I am shooting my next movie “Anna Bond”, being directed by Duniya Suri, at Melukote and we are staying here. We will be shooting in Mysore also with around a month’s shooting remaining. The lyrics and music are ready but the songs are pending. People can look forward to the movie by summer vacation.

Power Star Puneeth was seen in a soft role in the previous movie “Paramathma”. Do you think people accepted you that way?
Every film is an experiment. I work hard in it and hope for its success. It is up to the people to like or not like it. Each film is a new learning experience. This is my 17th film and I am still learning.

Was the movie a success according to you?
My father never watched his own movies. Even I don’t. If we start watching our movies, we keep looking for faults and start regretting. Instead, I finish a movie and move on. My father is my role model and I always follow his footsteps. I can assure that we will make good movies; but will not keep any expectation from it.

All of Yograj Bhat's (Director of Paramathma) movies have completed 100 days except for Paramathma. It was your first film with him…
People said they liked it and that matters. I will work with him in his future ventures too.

Are there any other movies in the pipeline?
There is no pipeline or motor (laughs). I don’t do more than one movie at a time. There are two movies but I will think of them once I complete Anna Bond.

[The Power Star usually takes around 12 to 15 minutes to climb up but was a bit slow today. When asked why, he said: "I have a little back ache. My family has also come along with me for the shooting and yesterday, I climbed the steps leading to Melukote temple carrying my mother…]

Kiran Kumar
Courtesy: Star of Mysore