Actor Puneet Rajkumar shares his list of three male and female actors each who can carry the baton forward...
They are young and raring to go. They are the future the Kannada film industry is depending on. Actor Puneet Rajkumar shares with Dipannita Ghosh Biswas his list of three male and female actors each who can carry the baton forward...
Yash
It all started: In 2008 with Moggina Manasu
I shared the frame with: Radhika Pandit
On screen, I was: Every girl’s dream boy — handsome, rich, smart and understanding. The story was a lot about girls’ expectations from love and their boyfriends and my character was an ideal man.
My first film: Saw my entry in the second half and I had about five scenes and three songs. There were a lot of people who weren’t happy with my decision to act in this film. More so, because I had rejected a lot of solo offers before this one.
My debut: Will remain evergreen. Irrespective of what people think, every teenager will go through this phase — it will never get outdated. I still have girls coming up to me and talking about the role.
When I look back: There are just too many memories. Another actor had actually been selected first and I was a last minute change. But I guess it’s all destined.
Over the years: I have become more responsible, the audience supports me and I want to work very hard to live up to all the expectations. I feel I’m on the right track.
I look up to: The good in everyone — young or old.
Ajai Rao
It all started: In 2003 with Excuse Me
I shared the frame with: Ramya
On screen, I was: An innocent and naive musician who hails from a village and moves to the city to make it big and there’s a girl who falls in love with his music.
My first film: Ran for almost a year in the theatres — I couldn’t have asked for more.
My debut: Was a dream come true. I always wanted to star in action films, but this film played a vital role in transforming me as a person and bringing out a sensitive and thoughtful side in me.
When I look back: I remember everything so vividly — be it the muhurat shot, the camera angle, dialogues — everything. I always wanted to see myself on screen.
Over the years: Nothing has changed, it has only improved. I believe there’s no end to learning.
I look up to: KV Raju, who has been a mentor and guru. Even though I never starred in any film of his, he’s been with me in good and bad times.
Yogi
It all started: In 2007 with Duniya
I shared the frame with: Duniya Vijay and Rashmi
On screen, I was: A mean guy — as bad as I could get.
My first film: Happened to me when I was just 15 years old. It was a childhood dream to get into movies and see myself on screen and I was thrilled when this opportunity came my way. Moreover, it was also a home production and I was comfortable being a part of it.
My debut: Meant the world to me — it was my first big break. No matter what I do, Duniya will always be special.
When I look back: Every moment of the film flashes before my eyes — getting my make-up done, the first shot.
Over the years: Professionally, a lot has changed. I have moved from being an anti-hero to a hero and it’s been quite a tough transition. I’m seeing life differently now and I had never thought I’d be where I am today.
I look up to: The one and only — Shivanna.
Parvathy
It all started: In 2007 with Milana
I shared the frame with: Puneet Rajkumar
On screen, I was: An overly dependent, spoilt girl, who wants everything but isn’t capable of getting it for herself. Through the course of the film, she gets transformed and that’s what the story is all about — in short, learning to love oneself.
My first film: Will remain unmatched — I can’t ever measure what could be better than it. I was satisfied with it and the box office success was quite encouraging as well.
My debut means: A lot of hard work, especially for a new actor coming to the industry from outside. In fact, I had to change my school of acting altogether and I must say, it made me very versatile.
When I look back: I actually learnt to speak Kannada and soon intend to pick up writing it as well. It was a learning experience, more so because my character was very Kannadiga in her thoughts.
Over the years: I have felt that I would never want to repeat a character I have played once. I’m very critical of my work and want to better every performance. And playing different characters means I constantly need to keep changing my school of thought.
I look up to: Puneet Rajkumar, Shivarajkumar, Lakshmi, Sudeep, Ambareesh.
Radhika Pandit
It all started: In 2008 with Moggina Manasu
I shared the frame with: Yash
On screen, I was: A teenager just out of school and into college. The film is her journey — her friends, first crush, first boyfriend — a journey any young girl probably has, is and will go through.
My first film: was a dream. Irrespective of what I have done since then or will do in the near future, this film made the audience and industry sit up and notice me.
My debut: Is a part of me I would never want to forget. It also got me most of the awards that year and it was wonderful to be able to work with such a great team. Also, we travelled intensively during the filming — in and around Karnataka — right from beaches to waterfalls. It was so much fun and quite an adventure.
When I look back: The film will be very special because I still have people addressing me as Chanchala (name in Moggina Manasu).
Over the years: An actor grows with experience and I have also grown as a person. It’s been a pretty decent journey till date. I’ve worked with some amazing people ever since.
I look up to: Everyone from the Kannada film industry — be it filmmakers, co-actors or even the technicians.
Aindrita Ray
It all started: In 2008 with Meravanige
I shared the frame with: Prajwal Devaraj
On screen, I was: A bubbly, naughty, spoilt college girl. One day, she and a boy from her college get kidnapped — someone whom she never got along with. As they spend time with each other in captivity, they start growing fond of each other.
My first film: Will always be very special and I have simply no regrets. There was a song in which I needed to act drunk and I think I did quite a good job as it went on to become very popular and is still remembered.
My debut: Means a lot to me — it was my first acting experience. Though I had done a lot of TV commercials before, but I got to learn so much from just being on the silver screen. And subsequently, I got flooded with offers.
When I look back: My debut film was quite a joy ride; I dislocated my knee during shooting though. Also, I saw myself on screen for the first time — I must say it was quite a nerve wracking experience.
Over the years: I have matured and grown with every movie I did. I also learnt how to deal with people, become selective and learn from my mistakes. I used to be very shy, films made me an extrovert.
I look up to: All the talented people in the film industry — each of them has taught me different things.
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