Former Karnataka chief Minister BS Yeddiyurappa shoots for a cameo in the Kannada film Tanuja

Last week, former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddiyurappa shot for a film, which will mark his Kannada cinema debut. BSY, as he is popularly known, faced the camera for the film Tanuja, for a cameo to play himself as chief minister. The sequence, as it turns out is a real-life instance, when BSY intervened to help a medical aspirant Tanuja Karregowda, take the NEET re-exam.

Tanuja had made headlines last year, when she could not appear for the NEET exam during the pandemic, as she not only developed symptoms, but also lived in a containment zone. And if that wasn’t bad enough, she also missed the deadline to apply for the re-exam owing to technical glitches in uploading relevant documents.

Distraught, Tanuja had taken to social media about her plight, which was then highlighted by veteran journalist Vishweshwar Bhat. Taking cognizance of Tanuja’s case, BSY and Health Minister K Sudhakar then intervened and got her to write the exam, which she cleared, setting the path to fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon.

Directed by state award winning filmmaker Harish MD Halli, the film also stars Saptha Pavoor, who was earlier seen in Rishab Shetty’s Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale in the lead role as Tanuja, while Rajesh Nataranga, Kailas and Sandhya Arakere will be in pivotal roles. Vishweshar Bhat and K Sudhakar also feature in cameos, playing themselves. According to the team, the portions featuring the former CM were shot successfully in only one day. His onscreen role, they say, will be a treat for his followers.

Produced by Beyond Visions Cinemas, this true story has been shot in locations across Shivamogga and Bengaluru. The film will be released in theatres shortly.