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Living a legacy

Sandalwood
Last Updated 24 September 2016, 18:38 IST

To write a suitable introduction for an actor, who has completed a whopping 30 years as a leading man, is a monumental task. And when the actor in question has absolutely no hang-ups about his achievements, things get harder.

Who else can fit this description apart from Sandalwood’s very own Shivarajkumar? As I catch up with him on the sets of his movie Bangara S/O Bangarada Manushya, Shivanna charms me yet again with his chivalry, insisting that I have a cup of tea before starting the interview. As we settle down in his comfortable makeup van, it is obvious why he has achieved so much — the passion in his voice as he talks about his love for films is unmistakable.

After debuting in the 1996 release Anand, the actor quickly earned the title hat-trick hero as his first three releases were huge hits. However, what is commendable is that he repeats this feat even today — three decades later! Among some of his notable releases are Janumada Jodi, Jogi, Ratha Sapthami, Nammoora Mandara Hoove, Om, Kaddipudi, and Chigurida Kanasu among others. In fact, his movie Om continues to run at a theatre even today. So what is it like to look back at a journey that few can dream of achieving? “Well, to be honest, it is not easy to work for three decades continuously. I have had the good fortune of being busy throughout and have worked with many directors including many new ones. Interestingly, filmmakers I work with now are in their 20s and they are still keen on directing me.”

Shivarajkumar further adds, “I don’t really feel it’s been 30 years. In fact, actor Sudeep tells me that he sees me in a new light with every role, and observations like this keep me motivated. I feel younger, and to be honest, I have seen how my father would work and he was one person who never let age come in his way.” His last four releases Vajrakaya, Killing Veerappan, Shivalinga and Santheyalli Nintha Kabira reflect his new choices in scripts, which is to do something different. “This decade has seen a lot of positive changes in the industry, and we have seen a huge variety of genres that actors are dabbling in, and directors have a fresh perspective to movies.”

Busy days

Currently, the actor has his hands full with almost 15 movies announced. How does he manage so many projects at the same time? “Things have gotten busy, but my schedule is planned in such a way that one movie gets released every three months. After Bangara S/O Bangarada Manushya and Srikanta, I will start shooting for both Leader and Tagaru. So basically, I will be working on two films at a time. Both these films are again in different genres, and both directors have a different style of working.”

Speaking about his juggling act with films, Shivarajkumar says, “I am not a person who prepares in advance. It is important to keep one’s personal and professional life separate. At home, I am a husband and a father, and with friends I am Shivanna. At work, I know that I am playing a character, and I will do everything in my power to be that person. It is important to understand these basic approaches, and I guess that maturity comes with experience. One thing, however, is that I have not changed my nature. I am still straightforward and open-hearted with everyone.”

For someone who owns all his movies, the ace actor knows that it is important to accept success and failures in his stride. Likewise, working on Killing Veerappan was also something that piqued his interest when Ram Gopal Verma narrated the film. “I think my character was more villainous than Veerapan’s, and the idea was to show how a cop killed the dacoit. It released in Telugu as well, which was a new market for me.” Shivarajkumar will also be seen in P Vasu’s Shivalinga Part 2, a sequel to the hit Shivalinga. “The role is interesting yet challenging, and that is what made me say yes. Also, the path the character takes in the sequel is a mystery.”

In search of variety

In his upcoming film Bangara S/O Bangarada Manushya, Shivarajkumar plays an NRI who moves from Milan to Mysuru. “We have to see who is bangara in the movie. The hero’s name is Shivu and his father is Bangarada Manushya, who is shown in a photo. The character travels from Milan to Mysuru to tackle a family issue. The crux of the film is about what one can give to the society.”

After a brief health scare last year, Shivarajkumar says that he has taken to walking to keep fit and will soon restart his gym regimen. “That day I felt uncomfortable and then I decided to have the checkup, fortunately things were sorted. Even though I was advised by doctors to start exercising by December, I have had a series of shooting schedules abroad so I took it a little easy.”

The actor was recently felicitated in London on completion of 30 years in the film industry. On behalf of the Basaveshwara Foundation, the former Mayor of Lambeth, Neeraj Patil, did the honours. After achieving so much, does he still have a dream role?

“There are a lot of things I want to do. I would love to play the role of a sincere and earnest devotee, do a historical role, and even a mythological one. I think whatever you do there is always something more that you wish for. And that is what really drives an actor. It is never about awards. I want to give some good performances and essay different roles.” It is indeed commendable that the star who has achieved so much always focuses on his acting and never on his ‘star’ status. This is probably why Shivarajkumar is an icon in the industry. Here’s wishing him many more decades of entertainment.

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(Published 24 September 2016, 15:30 IST)

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