'Soojidhara' will change my identity

Movie lovers will remember seeing Yash Shetty in negative roles in movies like ‘Jwalantham’, ‘John Jani Janardhan’ and ‘Noorondu Nenapu’ from the past. Awaiting some movie releases, this actor has decided to break the mould after a series of negative roles and will be seen in ‘Soojidhara’ as the protagonist.

A movie directed by Mounesh L Badiger, this project will also have actor Hariprriya in it. About what attracted Yash to this role, he says,”It was the script which attracted me to the movie. After playing the villain or negative shades in almost all movies, this was a welcome change.” He plays a man who is going through an identity crisis and Yash’s character will be seen in two looks on screen. “In one of the looks I will be seen with long hair and beard, which clearly portrays the confused and disoriented state of mind my character is in,” he says.

Yash’s role is of a middle-class man from the coastal areas in the movie. “I had to do a lot of homework for the role. I talk in a proper Mangalurean accent in the movie, which I had to practise well. The director gave me the script about three-and-a-half months before we started shooting. We would have frequent discussions, which helped me understand the nuances of the role better,” he says.

“While I was always prepared to do any negative role earlier, playing the hero is something new to me. I was always very confident when I had to play the villain. I didn’t want to be a typical hero and wanted to concentrate on the script always,” he adds.

Mounesh had advised him to be careful with depicting emotions on screen. Yash says, “I am into method acting now. I have to express subtle emotions on screen, which takes a lot a lot concentration and energy.”

The actor will also need to sport a leaner look for the project. “I have been hitting the gym quite frequently and working towards losing weight. I know this would be a new experience. ‘Soojidhara’ will change my identity in the industry,” he says.