It’s project Reconnect!

Life has come full circle. Previously, we’d seen entire generations of Indians keen on leaving the country for better opportunities.  A lot of them has gone too… adding to the ever increasing tribe of Non-Resident Indians. But staying away from one’s own homeland brings with it a lot more advantages than one would imagine. For these are the people who have managed to keep their culture, tradition and even literature alive than any of their counterparts who’ve continued to live on in India.

Cut to Generation Next and you have young adults — born abroad, as citizens of another country; yet so grounded and Indian at heart.

Whether it is to rediscover their roots or the fact that India is, economically, the place to be today — irrespective of the reasons, this generation can’t wait to get back to India.

One such example is Kannada film actor Chetan. While Sandalwood fans recall his impressive debut in the Kannada film Aa Dinagalu, followed by a few other commercial ventures, it is interesting to find many of the senior members of the corporate world speak in high regard of this youngster.  Equipped with nothing less than a degree from the University of Yale, one gets a bit flummoxed really… trying to decipher what kind of an interest Chetan may have in the world of cinema.

“I actually came to India to study theatre in Karnataka. Regional theatre continues to be a thriving business in the world of arts and there are so many forms to it. Aa Dinagalu happened by chance, while I was doing my research.  One thing led to another and I find myself more and more interested in filmmaking,” reveals Chetan.

Chetan probably has umpteen numbers of connections with the corporate world. However, I can’t resist the opportunity to brag. DNA's Sunday column Page 3 meet Page 1 first featured Chetan in conversation with Mindtree’s Subroto Bagchi. This initial connection, courtesy DNA, led to many other meetings and we’ve heard the two are good friends today. 

“I have made some good friends in the city. Not as many in the film industry as those from across various fields,” says the actor, who seems rather particular about the kind of events that he is seen at. But he says, “It’s not that I am not interested in events. As an individual, you are automatically drawn to certain kinds of events more than others. For instance, I have done my bit of partying and today, I do not see the point in hanging out at parties where nobody is interested in a good conversation.”

So what’s next on the cards for him? “I plan to direct a film,” he says. “Making a film is not just about having a script and a team in place. It is unbelievably difficult to find producers. While I have found mine, it is important to have every detail worked out before I begin production. I want to be able to tell a story that people will relate to. It is about love and hope. But it is going to be a commercial film for sure. I had given myself a couple of years for my research on theatre. But this city has really engulfed me. I just want to be able to do more, right here in Bangalore,” he says.