Shivani Rajashekar: Shekar is my dad’s first film after his rebirth

Shivani Rajashekar, daughter of actors Rajashekar and Jeevitha, left many moist-eyed at the pre-release event of her upcoming film Shekar, where she shares screen space with her father for the first time in her career. She didn’t mince words while talking about detractors questioning her mother’s capabilities and asserted that her father deserves a success, purely for how bounced back to action after getting affected with COVID-19 a week before the film’s shoot.

“Many people have a notion that my mom is the reason behind the downfall in my dad’s career and she interferes with his decisions. We generally don’t bother much about such naysayers but all I can say is that Shekar will completely blow everyone away and prove my mom’s worth as a director. She has done a fantastic job and you’ll all feel the same on May 20,” she spoke about her mother.

She was at her poignant best while sharing how Rajashekar came out of a delicate health situation, bounced back within two months’ time to shoot for Shekar. “My dad got infected with COVID-19 because of me. His pulse fell to 58 when he was trying to rush to the bathroom and medicos had informed us that it could be a 50-50 situation and that he may need a ventilator any time. I was blaming myself for the entire situation,” Shivani stated.

“I couldn’t have come to terms with myself if anything happened to him and even in that situation, my dad comforted me by saying that I shouldn’t blame myself for it and that he could’ve got it from anyone, if not her. I recovered from COVID-19 instantly but it took a lot of prayers for him to recover. I’m someone who firmly believes in prayers and I thank everyone for their good will,” she added.

Reportedly, Rajashekar had to relearn life all over again, right from the way he walked to went about his daily chores and hitting the gym. “His weight reduced by 15 kilos during COVID-19 and he gained all that within a month and a half to shoot for Shekar. Even while smoking on the screen for the film, he gave it all despite knowing that his lungs were damaged after the infection. This film, if not for anyone, should work for my dad’s determination. Shekar is his first film after his re-birth,” Shivani mentioned and even sang a number in praise of him at the event.

With screenplay and direction by Jeevitha, Shekar, starring Rajashekar, Muskaan, Athmiya Rajan, Bharani, Ravi Varma and others hits theatres on May 20.