Sandalwood Actor Rishab Shetty to Play Lead Role Portraying Kudla’s Underworld Don Late Amar Alva

Sandalwood Actor Rishab Shetty to Play Lead Role Portraying Kudla’s Underworld Don Late Amar Alva

Mangaluru: When I came to know that a movie will be made on Kudla’s Underworld Don Late Amar Alva, my memories went back to the years of 80’s and 90’s, when Amar Alva was a Big Well-wisher and a sponsor of Rock Society- a Entertainment Organization founded by me in the year 1984. Being the Founder President of Rock Society, and in 1984-85 being the Secretary/Editor of Mangalore Jaycees, in a joint venture, both Rock Society and Mangalore Jaycees, brought for the FIRST time to Mangaluru, a All-Girl International Band from UK named ‘Girlschool’ which rocked the Mangala Stadium, to a packed crowd- and Amar Alva being associated with Fashion Jungle, a boutique shop ( managed also by the Padival Brothers of Mangaluru) in Mangaluru were the co-sponsor for the event.

Later in the years, Rock Society had brought various rock/pop bands to Mangalore, to name a few- The Bootleg Beatles (UK); ‘Osibisa’ ( a Ghanaian Afrobeat band, founded in London); and Indian rock Bands like Rock Machine ( Mumbai), 13 A D (Cochin), and bunch of Goan Bands, plus had organized fashion shows, beauty pageants, dance contests etc- the FIRST Break Dance Contest at town Hall. And for all these events, Rock society had the full support from Amar Alva/Fashion Jungle, and Entrepreneur A J Shetty providing the hospitality courtesy at Hotel Moti Mahal. During those years, getting an sponsorship of Rs 5000-Rs 10,000 was a big amount, and these well-wishers helped us out.

Seen in photo L-R: Rishab Shetty and Late Amar Alva

In the 80’s/90’s, a bunch of youngsters of rich parents used to hang around at Fashion Jungle on Balmatta Road ( in that place we now have ‘Rosa Designer Boutique’ and ‘ Royal collection’ located in the Beauty Plaza Complex, Opp to City Lights Bldg on Balmatta Road) and Amar Alva and Padival Brothers were also among them. The other place where Amar Alva and his team used to hang around was at Shanker Travels in Milagres Centre ( which is now the Milagres Company shop)- and right in front of Shanker Travels , Amar Alva was shot dead in the year 1992 by a rival gang.

Amar Alva and his gang used to call me by nickname as “Rock Show Alfie’ and always joke around with silly things. It was three days before I left to Chicago, USA on 16 March 1990, that I met Amar and informed him that I was leaving to States, and this is what he said to me “Good luck Buddy and You keep Rockin’ in the USA. But don’t forget when you visit Mangaluru get me a Oakley sunglasses and a Drakkar Noir Men’s cologne” he hugged me and wished me goodbye. But sadly, that was the last time I saw and spoke to Amar Alva, because on 14 July 1992 I got a call from my friend Nandan Rao from Mangaluru saying “Your Friend Amar Alva was shot dead in front of Milagres church ( Shanker Travels Office)”- and that was shocking news to hear, losing a well-wisher/friend in a tragic death.

Amar Alva (R) seen with his friend Sachith Kumar (L) of Mangaluru

 When it came to helping others Amar Alva was a gem of a guy, always friendly, smiling and jovial. To know him was to love him and to root for him. We should all be so lucky to have as many friends as Amar did. This handsome and good-looking man, inside and out, always happy and smiling face was a wonderful friend to me, and many others with his gentle and caring nature. One of his beliefs in life was the importance of being authentic with people, saying what needs to be said because it’s good for the relationship and for the soul. Amar was loving and real. He was a wonderful husband to his beloved wife Dr Kripa Alva, and to his daughter and had laid a strong foundation for them.

Amar Alva lived in the Monkey Stand/Mangaladevi vicinity, and his parents had vast property in that area, and Amar being a Good Samaritan had helped many needy families, and was always ready to help anyone, irrespective of caste or creed- and for his kind generosity and gesture shown towards the community, the residents had named a road after him-” Amar Alva Road”, near Monkey Stand in the City. It is learnt that Amar’s mother still lives in her house on that road, whereas his wife Dr Kripa Alva ( the former chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights) has moved with her mother residing on Kadri Kambla Road (Near C V Nayak hall), just 2 minutes walk from my house.

When we love people it’s so comforting to know that they will always be with us in our hearts. Those who have lived a good life do not fear death, but meet it calmly, and even long for it in the face of great suffering. But those who do not have a peaceful conscience, dread death as though life means nothing but physical torment. The challenge is to live our life so that we will be prepared for death when it comes. But sadly, Amar faced a tragic death at the hands of his enemies, but for many of his friends, Amar is very much alive today, perhaps smiling at us. I am really overwhelmed, now that a movie is made on the life journey of Amar Alva, and I am sure it will receive a good support from the movie-goers, when it is released in 2021.

Seems like lockdown has worked in favour of Sandalwood actor Rishab Shetty, who has used this time to chalk out his career plans towards direction as well as acting. Even as the director is gearing up to kickstart shooting for Rudraprayag, he is also set to play a lead role, portraying underworld don Amar Alva. Rishab seems to have had a rather productive lockdown, he has announced two new projects – Amar Alva and Hari Kathe Alla Giri Kathe. The latter is a film that will be directed by Giri Krishna and it is touted to be a comedy-drama. It is reported that Rishab will take up the projects after he completes shooting for another ambitious project Rudraprayag which has Anant Nag in the lead role. This film will see him return to direction, and the first poster has already raised a lot of curiosity.

According to sources, Rishab is currently working on the script along with his associate Nitesh, who is making his directorial debut with the movie. The film, which will be set in 1980’s and 90’s, is based on the life of Mangaluru-based underworld don Amar Alva. Amar’s murder in 1992 had changed the scenario of Karnataka underworld. Sources reveal that while the makers haven’t yet revealed how much of his life will be showcased on the screen, the buzz right now is that it is most likely to go on floors sometime next year. The rest of the actors and the title will be revealed by the film team in the coming days.

Amar Alva was known for his charming yet daring personality in the Mangaluru underworld. His name was mostly heard in mafia circle along with likes of Muthappa Rai, M P Jayaraj and Oil Kumar. Amar Alva was shot dead in the year 1992. Rishab, as a director has been trying to bring in a touch of versatility in his subjects, with Ricky, Kirik Party, Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai and upcoming Rudraprayag starring Anant Nag. And regarding the lead role actor, Prashant Shetty known professionally as Rishab Shetty, born in Keradi, Kundapura, is a talented actor who primarily works in Kannada-language cinema. Rishab had played a key role in Ulidavaru Kandante, a movie directed by Rakshit Shetty. He has a background in yakshagana, a theatrical folk art from coastal Karnataka.

As an actor, Rishab began as a lead hero, playing the role of detective Diwakar in the crime thriller, Bell Bottom directed by Jayathirtha. The film had a successful run at the box office and is getting a remake in a few other languages as well. Harikathe alla Giri Kathe, directed by Giri Krishna, will also see him as a part of the comedy-drama. However, the challenge of playing an underworld don is a fresh attempt. While the production details of the project are yet to be revealed, the film will go on floors in 2021, and only after Rishab completes his current commitments with Rudraprayag, Harikathe alla Giri kathe and Bell Bottom 2. The film on Amar Alva raises curiosity about how Rishab will handle a subject, which needs him to flaunt machetes and guns.

Bigg Boss winner Shine Shetty will also play an important role in Rudraprayag. The actor has expressed his excitement to be a part of the project. Actress Shraddha Srinath is also a part of this ensemble cast, where the makers have announced that there will be as many as ten prominent names who will be a part of this film team. The film which it touted to be a thriller will be shot extensively in the forests. The makers had originally planned to go on floors towards the end of March or April, but are now waiting for the green signal from the government to the film industry to resume shooting activities before they make their new plans.

Inputs from CineNews