Bangalore: You've heard of films being shot within record time. But in a first of its kind feat, the director of the film Mandakini Ramesh Surve has taken 17 days to shoot just one song.

The song, Belagali Kannada Jyothi, has taken so long because the director wanted to depict Karnataka's folk culture.

"It was my dream to shoot this song for over 20 years now. The song has been picturised in 17 districts in order to include a variety of culture and tradition that is solely Karnataka's. From Yakshagana to Kumararama, every kind of dance has been depicted in this song. We have conducted research to revive and represent as many as 17 folk cultures that originate in Karnataka," says Ramesh Surve.

One long song

Initially, cinematographer PHK Das shot the song in seven districts. But when the director saw the completed song, he decided to extend it by seven minutes. "When I saw the song, I felt that the song required more life and colour. We had to request the lead stars Rashmi and Chetan to allot a few more days to shoot this song. We spent a day in every district to complete the song in 17 days," says Ramesh Surve.

Actress Rashmi recalls, "When we started doing shooting for the song there were rumours that many other directors in the industry had plans of shooting such a song for their own films. I guess news travels quite fast. So without any further delay, we went on to shoot the song. It took us 17 days, but it has turned out exceptionally well."