Janardhana Maharshi is given to making big time statements these days. He says that he turned a producer with the sole aim of proving those who think good cinema is passe wrong, by making a Shankarabharanam. Well, the Shankarabharanam that he is making, is Devasthanam, which will be released in January. The fact of the matter is this: His earlier attempt to make an entertainer flopped miserably at the box office. It was Gopi.. Godameeda Pilli. (To refresh your memory, it starred Allari Naresh and Jagapathi. By no stretch of imagination, you could call it a Shankarabharanam). Years later, he has put the past behind and wants us to believe that he has turned a director to make a masterpiece (though he hasn't overtly said this).

The question is, why is Maharshi claiming to be debuting as a director with Devasthanam, when it is his second film? Is it because the writer-director would not be able to make grandiloquent statements any more, if he invokes Gopi? After all, his pre-release claims will then fall flat!

Coming to Devasthanam, the film stars K Vishwanath, SP Balasubrahmanyam and Amani. One must congratulate the director for daring to put his savings in making the movie. Theme-wise, Devasthanam is indeed beautiful. It drives home the philosophy that god resides in every pure heart, not just in the temple.

The passionate writer also wants to convey the message that charity begins at home. Well said, JM!