JOIN USThrowing light on a dream
National Award-winning actor Sanchari Vijay is best remembered for his brilliant performance in ‘Naanu Avanalla...Avalu’ in which he played a transgender.
He always chooses projects that are performance-oriented like ‘Oggarane’, ‘Killing Veerappan’ and ‘Cinema My Darling’. In his latest project, ‘Krishna Tulasi’, Sanchari Vijay dons the role of a visually-impaired man, who doesn’t let his handicap come in the way of his dreams. In an interview with Nina C George, he talks about the making of the movie.
What did you find interesting about the project?
There are a lot of challenges involved in portraying the role of a visually-impaired person, who doesn’t let his handicap get in the way of him leading a normal life. Most stories that are written around the visually-impaired, try to project the sympathetic side but here we have attempted something very unique.
Tell us about your character.
I go by the character name of Krishna, who is a tourist guide. He goes about his job in a normal way, just like anybody else. He is well-informed and sharp when it comes to his work and soon becomes a popular tourist guide of the area. Krishna is also someone who doesn’t expect sympathy but wants to be treated like a normal person.
Did you have to interact with the visually-impaired people to understand your character?
We visited a hostel for the visually-challenged called Belaku in Kengeri. We stayed there for four days just to observe, study and understand the life of the inmates. There were about 50 to 60 people in that hostel and they seemed happy and content with whatever little they had. Their visual impairment didn’t deter them from playing cricket and moving around freely. The head cook of that hostel called Appaji is also visually-impaired. But he cuts vegetables and lights the stove with such perfection that you wonder how he goes about his business without any problem.
Was it tough to portray your character?
Yes it was. The director gave me a few documentary films and books to understand the body language and mindset of the visually-challenged. Whenever I was at home, I would tie a cloth around my eye and try to find my way around the house. This helped me connect with the character in a better way. I also had to work towards developing a unique body language, style of talking and walking.
Can you elaborate on Tulasi’s character?
The story takes a dramatic twist with the entry of Tulasi. She changes Krishna’s life. Here, a bus plays an important role in developing the love story between Krishna and Tulasi.