Is Kate Sharma Star With Veteran Filmmaker Kamal Hassan in Ganesha Reddy’s Chandragiri?

Manoj L April 26, 2016Last Updated: April 26, 2016

News reports from the south have suggested that Tamil film director V Ganesha Reddy has approached veteran actor, director, producer and filmmaker Kamal Hassan to play a prominent lead role in his forthcoming big-budget film Chandragiri, which is based on the lives of the historical Kings of Chandragiri and Vijaynagara – Peda Venkata Raya, Venkatapathy Rayulu and his nephew Sri Rangarayulu who ruled Chandragiri during the 1600s. While Reddy is confident of roping in the south superstar for his mega project, Kamal Hassan who is busy with his other assignments is yet to sign on the dotted line, say sources.

And guess who has been signed on in the lead role – it’s none other than the 19-year-old Kate Sharma from Mumbai. While director V Ganesha Reddy who is producing the film under this new banner Smiling Turtles Productions confirmed that Kate Sharma has been signed on for Chandragiri, the model said she was looking forward to the project. “Yes we have signed on Kate Sharma for a trilogy – series of three films or sequels which will be made within three years. Kate Sharma is now under a 3-year contract with Smiling Turtles Productions and will be working with us on three projects, Reddy said.

Speaking to media persons in Chennai, Reddy said Chandragiri is a big-budget film and will be made at an estimated budget of Rs 180 to 240 crore. Shooting is expected to commence in June this year and will be completely within 4-5 months. The film is pegged for a February or March 2017 release, Reddy revealed.

Chandragiri is famous for the historical fort, built in the 11th century, and the Raja Mahal Palace within it. Chandragiri was under the rule of the Yadava Naidus for about three centuries and came under the control of Vijayanagar rulers in 1367. It came into prominence during the reign of Saluva Narasimha Rayalu. Chandragiri was the 4th capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. Rayas shifted the capital to Chandragiri when the Golconda sultans attacked Penukonda. In 1646, the fort was annexed to the Golkonda territory and subsequently came under Mysore rule. It went into oblivion from 1792 onward. The fort encircles eight ruined temples of Saivite and Vaishnavite pantheons, Raja Mahal, Rani Mahal and other ruined structures.

The Raja Mahal Palace is now an archaeological museum. The palace is an example of Indo-Sarcen architecture of the Vijayanagar period. The crowning towers represents the Hindu architectural elements. The palace was constructed using stone, brick, lime mortar and devoid of timber.

The Panvel-based, 19-year-old teenager, Kate Sharma was recently crowned Miss Pune Selfie Queen after defeating about 70 other participants from Pune and surrounding areas in an online pageant She earlier completed her schooling from Ulhasnagar and B.Com from the Mumbai University to pursue her dreams of modeling and acting. She is a versatile dancer and is proficient with various dance forms like Salsa, Mexican, Belly dance and has even learnt Kathak and Bharat Natayam.