<p>This photograph was taken in Bengaluru at our home in Banashankari. Seen in the picture are my father Devaraj, brother Prajwal, mother Chandra and myself. I must have been four years old when this picture was shot. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Though both my parents were actors, Prajwal and I were brought up just like any other kid. I did my schooling in National Hill View Public School and completed my college from Jain University, CMS. At school, nobody knew that I was Devaraj’s son till he came to school for some function or meeting. I always wanted to be an actor — ever since I was three. I remember accompanying my parents to their shooting location and loved watching the happenings on the sets. From then on, the words ‘light, camera, action’ stuck in my head and I clearly made up my mind to follow my father’s footsteps. <br /><br />I am very attached to my parents and my brother. In fact, my father is the one who has shaped my thinking. As we were growing up, he used to tell both Prajwal and me to never forget who we are and how we began. At the same time, he encouraged me to follow my heart. However, he was particular on me completing my education before venturing into acting. My mother, on the other hand, had given up her career in acting and stood by my father. <br /><br />I was the baby at home and was invariably pampered by my mother. Prajwal is six years older to me. He has been my best friend, guide and philosopher. As children, we have had our share of fights but we were always quick to patch up. He is protective about me and I adore him. <br /><br /> Growing up was fun. My brother and I would wait to return from school to play cricket with friends from the neighbourhood. The road in front of our house would transform into a cricket ground of sorts. I also actively played basketball in school and throughout college. <br /><br />Our weekends were reserved for family outings. My father would take my brother and me to Big Kids Kemp on Old Madras Road and we would shop for toys. We loved the many attractions there — from joy rides to all sorts of entertainment. Another activity we loved doing was bowling and we would frequent Alley 365 located on Double Road. <br /><br />Driving those days was hassle-free because the roads were broad and there weren’t so many cars on the road. Traffic jams were quite unheard of. We used to go for dinner at Eden Park on Infantry Road and I loved it because it had an exclusive play area for children. My friends would join me and we would play there till we got tired.<br /> <br />I also enjoyed shopping, especially shopping for baggy pants and loose T-shirts. However, we could never really go to parks because my father was at the peak of his career and couldn’t walk around with us in the open too much. That’s something I missed. <br /><br />In my growing-up years, there was really nothing that Prajwal and I didn’t know about each other and this openness still continues. I would hang out with him more than I would with my friends. <br /><br />In fact, my friends too would come with me to the shooting locations. If he is travelling out of Bengaluru on work, my friends and I would be the first to pack our bags and head out with him. <br /><br /> This picture brings back a flood of memories of a beautiful childhood filled with love, warmth and laughter. Now that I am working on my first film, I hope that I will be able to live up to the standards set by my father and brother. <br />Pranam Devaraj <br /><br />(As told to Nina C George)<br />(<em>Pranam can be reached on pranam2993@gmail.com</em>)<br /></p>
<p>This photograph was taken in Bengaluru at our home in Banashankari. Seen in the picture are my father Devaraj, brother Prajwal, mother Chandra and myself. I must have been four years old when this picture was shot. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Though both my parents were actors, Prajwal and I were brought up just like any other kid. I did my schooling in National Hill View Public School and completed my college from Jain University, CMS. At school, nobody knew that I was Devaraj’s son till he came to school for some function or meeting. I always wanted to be an actor — ever since I was three. I remember accompanying my parents to their shooting location and loved watching the happenings on the sets. From then on, the words ‘light, camera, action’ stuck in my head and I clearly made up my mind to follow my father’s footsteps. <br /><br />I am very attached to my parents and my brother. In fact, my father is the one who has shaped my thinking. As we were growing up, he used to tell both Prajwal and me to never forget who we are and how we began. At the same time, he encouraged me to follow my heart. However, he was particular on me completing my education before venturing into acting. My mother, on the other hand, had given up her career in acting and stood by my father. <br /><br />I was the baby at home and was invariably pampered by my mother. Prajwal is six years older to me. He has been my best friend, guide and philosopher. As children, we have had our share of fights but we were always quick to patch up. He is protective about me and I adore him. <br /><br /> Growing up was fun. My brother and I would wait to return from school to play cricket with friends from the neighbourhood. The road in front of our house would transform into a cricket ground of sorts. I also actively played basketball in school and throughout college. <br /><br />Our weekends were reserved for family outings. My father would take my brother and me to Big Kids Kemp on Old Madras Road and we would shop for toys. We loved the many attractions there — from joy rides to all sorts of entertainment. Another activity we loved doing was bowling and we would frequent Alley 365 located on Double Road. <br /><br />Driving those days was hassle-free because the roads were broad and there weren’t so many cars on the road. Traffic jams were quite unheard of. We used to go for dinner at Eden Park on Infantry Road and I loved it because it had an exclusive play area for children. My friends would join me and we would play there till we got tired.<br /> <br />I also enjoyed shopping, especially shopping for baggy pants and loose T-shirts. However, we could never really go to parks because my father was at the peak of his career and couldn’t walk around with us in the open too much. That’s something I missed. <br /><br />In my growing-up years, there was really nothing that Prajwal and I didn’t know about each other and this openness still continues. I would hang out with him more than I would with my friends. <br /><br />In fact, my friends too would come with me to the shooting locations. If he is travelling out of Bengaluru on work, my friends and I would be the first to pack our bags and head out with him. <br /><br /> This picture brings back a flood of memories of a beautiful childhood filled with love, warmth and laughter. Now that I am working on my first film, I hope that I will be able to live up to the standards set by my father and brother. <br />Pranam Devaraj <br /><br />(As told to Nina C George)<br />(<em>Pranam can be reached on pranam2993@gmail.com</em>)<br /></p>