Shruti Indira Lakshminarayana in Bangalore
With the Kannada film Nannu Nanna Kanansu, National-award winning actor Prakash Raj makes his directorial debut. The film releases on May 14.
The film is a remake of the Tamil film Abhiyum Naanum produced by Praksh Raj himself and directed by Radhamohan with Trisha, Prakash Raj, Aishwarya and Ganesh Venkatraman in the lead.
While Raj plays the role of the doting father, Amoolya essays the role of his daughter. Raj himself is a father of two daughters and his bond with them is said to have motivated him to make this movie.
Over a cup of bisi bisi (hot coffee) and thate idli, the actor turned director talks about the film that celebrates the father-daughter relationship. Excerpts:
Why the delay in taking up direction?
It is never late to do anything in life. Nannu Nanna Kanasu has been the most fulfilling experience for me. As an actor, you just add colours to a painting, but here I am creating a painting! In fact sometimes from this side, acting looks stupid.
Did the actor in you make stepping into the shoes of a director easy?
This story is like a letter to my daughters. I didn't make this film to promote the actor in me. My urge to direct pushed me to do the film. My power as an actor was just a tool!
Having said that, being an actor myself, I could understand my cast better as a director. It helped me make them comfortable and handle their questions with ease. This film also gave me an opportunity to understand the entire process of documentation better. I am known as a sensitive actor and thought I understood my directors well, but this film had surprises!
'I am proud to be a Kannadiga'
See, when I started out, the Kannada industry was also trying to figure itself out. Industry is not here to cater to the dreams and aspirations of individuals. I am proud to be a Kannadiga.
What do you think of the present status of the Kannada industry?
It is still young and is trying to find its foothold. I am very optimistic given the young talent it is producing. It'll grow, it's not like any individual can come to its rescue. Every form has its way of fighting it out. Like it's said, "The planet doesn't need saving -- it's us who needs saving!"
'I am celebrating cinema and am amazed by its magic'
Cinema just happened. At the time I started out, cinema was not considered a profession. Today there are many avenues to exhibit your talent like advertisements, radio channels, and television. But back then, it was like a house with no doors and windows and we had to search for doors.
But then struggle and hunger are individual problems. You ultimately get your identity from the passion and intensity you have within you.
Did your theatre background help in your film career and would you want to get back to doing plays?
Theatre, literature, family, friends and television have definitely helped me perceive things better. But right now, I am celebrating cinema and am amazed by its magic. Please don't tell me to go back and improve theatre! Who am I to do that?
Who and what influenced you as an actor?
It could be film makers, books or simply films. You never know where and how you are influenced. Mine is a simple logic When the cuckoo bird sings don't look at it, just listen to it!
'Someone dancing or fighting off scores of people is something I can't comprehend'
What do awards mean to you?
They are the recognition you get for the good work you have done in a particular year. Next year you have to come out and prove yourself again. Awards are benchmarks; they are perks you get for good work. They are not crowns but milestones that show you the amount of distance you have covered. Awards are happy moments on which you linger on for a few moments and then move on.
Which performance of yours has satisfied you the most?
At times performances are about what you give, at others they are about what people take out of you. I guess it's the totality of things. It could be a blink of an eye, the way a shot is kept or the music there are a lot of things that work in unison to make a performance look good.
Kanchivaram, for instance was a mind blowing experience. It was a film for which I unlearnt things that I had learnt. My performance there still surprises me. I guess it just happened.
As an actor you have chosen to do mostly stereotypical character roles, but as a film maker you have gone in for sensitive off beat scripts
It's not a conscious thing. It's just that as a film maker, someone dancing or fighting off scores of people is just not something I can comprehend. But as an actor if you ask me to do it I will.
'I am definitely 'wanted' in Hindi industry too'
But our height, eating habits, colour everything is different! Probably these people feel we share the same kind of passion for cinema. But why should there be another Kamal Hassan, Vishnuvardhan or a Rajkumar? They are unique actors.
A ban from working in the Telugu industry and then news about your divorce do controversies bother you?
It so happens that my surname is controversy! People throw stones only at trees that give fruit, why will they bother otherwise, right?
What are your current projects?
I have finished shooting for Sadashiva Shenoy's Prarthane. I have always wanted to work with people from different fields and it was good working with Shenoy who is a critic. I have read his articles and liked them.
Next there is Dhool and Hoo in Kannada. I am also acting in a Tamil and Telugu hijack drama. They are called Payanam and Gaganam. The Telugu version stars Nagarjuna. A Rs 3 crore set has been put up for the film. It is a recreation of Tirupathi airport.
What about Hindi films?
My last release was Salman Khan starrer Wanted and all I'll say is I'm definitely 'wanted' in Hindi industry too.
What do you do when you have free time on hand?
I read books and I am a big sports buff, so basically you'll find me 'sporting' life.
What do aspiring actors need to have?
Common sense! A good height and a genuine smile sure help, but ultimately it's the person that becomes important and not the form.
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