'Prachi's act did not surprise me'

UNDETERRED

Diganth, who has maintained his connect with the youngsters, has bagged a Bollywood project, ‘Jazz’, and even plans to shed his chocolate boy looks for Rockline Venkatesh’s upcoming untitled project, which will be an action film.

Back in the City from Mumbai to promote his latest film Lifeu Ishtene, Diganth tells Metrolife how closely attached he is to each of his films.

Though his last two outings in Sandalwood, ‘Jolly Boy’ and Mr Duplicate, didn’t do too well, Diganth is very optimistic about his future projects. His positive spirit even extends to his Bollywood film that has been temporarily shelved due to Prachi Desai, who has dropped out of the project.

Ask him if his ego was hurt and he laughs. “Not at all. She has backed out of projects before this as well so it didn’t surprise me. The story that the director Mani Shankar came up with is really good. And the team is no hurry. I am sure that they will find a suitable heroine and start the shoot soon,” he adds. So does this mean he will soon be wrapping up his commitments down South? “As thrilled as I am to get a Bollywood film, I know where my roots are. This film is something that just happened but my association with the Kannada film industry will never end,” he adds.  

Talking about his latest film, Lifeu Ishtene, Diganth says that he is excited about the film because it is made by a good friend. “I have known and worked with Pawan (the director) when he was working with Yograj Bhat. I like the way he thinks and after watching his short films, I really wanted to work with him. This film is about how one boy deals with relationships at different stages of life. It has a strong storyline and has been my most challenging role so far because we have really experimented with my looks, each of which represents a stage of my life,” he adds.

After Manasaare, Diganth will be seen in another film by Rockline Productions. Yet to be titled, the movie is an out-and-out action film. Trying something out of one’s comfort zone is always risky for actors but Diganth is determined on going ahead with the project.

“Though I have not done an action flick so far, I am confident about fighting and stunts since I have been working out for a long time now. Moreover, I have always wanted to do an action film and Rockline is giving me a chance to showcase a new side of me,” he says.