Waiting in anticipation

He was the youngest graha in the multi-starrer Navagraha and now Dharma Keerthiraj, son of actor Keerthiraj, is all set to arrive with a bang as a solo hero in T N Nagesh’s Olave Vismaya (OV).

This being his first film as a solo hero, the chocolate boy is all excited, nervous and anxious about the audience’s reaction. He also explains that he is quite capable of carrying the film on his shoulders. “This is a performance-oriented film. I play a lover boy in the first half and I become a serious character during the later part of the film,” says Dharma. Though he is one-film old, the experience for shooting for OV has been a different journey altogether for Dharma. “Shooting for Navagraha was a lot of fun since we were a group of nine and all of us gelled so well that work never seemed a burden.

Since I was the youngest there was a lot of pampering,” he laughs while adding, “In OV, I am pampered but in a different way. I do get a lot of attention, have learnt different camera angles and the basics.” Through OV one of Dharma’s dreams have come true as well, “I always wanted to work with Ananth Nag sir and it’s a dream come true. Though he plays the heroine’s father in the movie I sure have learnt a lot from him,” he adds.

Coming from a film background, Dharma also got a lot of advice from his father. “My dad once said that when it comes to acting, be a director’s actor because everyday a director comes with a different vision and if we, as actors,  give him 80 per cent of what he envisioned then he will be happy with us. And I follow this to the core,” he explains.

Before acting, Dharma was a national level tennis player, which he gave up to pursue his acting career. He says that tennis has helped him a lot. “I used to play a lot when I was in college and it helped me keep fit. I feel every college student must take up one sport as it helps one concentrate and maintain the strict discipline that the sport demands which can be applied to one’s life as well,” he adds.

With hectic schedules one thing Dharma misses a lot is spending time with his friends. “Things have changed a lot now with shoot schedules. I can’t really be in touch with everybody. There are a few friends who know me really well and they understand when I am busy but there are a few others who take it in a negative way. But I still find some time to spend with my friends who stay close to my house,” he says.

After OV Dharma has taken up another project called Chakravyuha. “I can slowly see my life change. I have become more responsible and professional in my approach now, and I hope the audiences see this and accept it,” he concludes.