Shooting for the film began on Friday at Dharmasthala.

“We are overwhelmed that a film is being made based on our lives,” said Kusuma, treasurer of a federation of 16 self-help groups from Kalmanja village in Belthangady, associated with SKDRDP.

“We are eagerly waiting to see our film in the cinema,” added Sharada, another SHG member who has also contributed to the making of the film.

Stating that this is the second such film after Manthan, Mr. Nagabharana said that the concept of public funding goes well with the theme of the film. “Like in Manthan, the SHG members are the creators of Kaanoorayana. You see true empowerment of women in the very making of his film,” he added.

Though he has made four documentaries on the activities of SKDRDP, he said that it was a challenge to come with a storyline for the project that has impacted the rural folk in different ways.

A team of four story writers worked for six months to go through a number of case files with SKDRDP. “It is the 10th version of the story which is now being made into a film,” the director said and added that the film will delineate the way villagers from Kaanooru overcome adversity through SHGs.

“We hope the film gives to the city folk a true picture of the lifestyle in rural areas. I hope it inspires youth to take up agriculture,” said Mr. Veerendra Heggade.