<p>One of Kannada television’s most popular faces, Sihi Kahi Chandru has dabbled in just about everything. Be it films, tv, radio shows, or theatre, this talented actor has clearly made a mark, writes Bindu Gopal Rao.<br /><br />A conversation with him will surely leave you with a few wholehearted laughs for sure. Ace actor, comedian, cook, RJ, writer, director, producer and more, a meeting with the multifaceted Sihi Kahi Chandru left me with a lot of smiles.<br /><br />“My inclination towards acting started in school, when I did a play and after that everyone started to recognise me. Somehow I found it to be glamorous and started doing a lot of theatre and also attended workshops to understand the various facets of theatre. I then felt the urge to take up acting as a career, but I never went to any acting school and preferred to learn the hard way at work. My first big break was on Doordarshan, a Kannada serial called Sihi Kahi. Later, I also started working in several departments like writing, screenplay, direction and production. My idea then was if I failed as an actor, I would have something to fall back on,” he explains. <br /><br />Chandru’s popular films include Gowri Ganesha, Puttakkana Highway, Tenali Rama and Ganeshana Maduve.<br /><br /> “After Sihi Kahi, I did my first film called Dr Vijayanand as a hero, but that never released. I then realised that I was probably not hero material and chose to do comedy as a genre. Basically, I am a serious actor but no one takes me seriously,” he laughs.</p>.<p> Ask him why he is seen in fewer movies today and he says, “Earlier, I would do about 17 to 18 movies a year, but that changed when I started my own production house, and then I became picky, as I had lesser time at my disposal. But I still act and am in touch with the industry.”<br /><br />Television calling |<br /><br />Through his production houses Final Cut Productions and Master Productions, Chandru has three soaps dominating the small screen and two under production. <br /><br />“At present, I am in a position where I cannot refuse any work as I have 100 people working for me. So, I do a lot of productions and also make documentary films, ad films and corporate films.”<br /><br /> His show, Bombaat Bhojana, was a runaway hit, and he admits it gave him immense recognition, much beyond his expectations.<br /><br /> “Even a one-year-old who could barely speak started recognising me and calling me Bombaat,” he says. </p>.<p>The show was hugely popular, but took a toll on his health after which Chandru decided to end the show.<br /><br /> “I wanted people to look at me as an actor and did not take up any offers for new shows. Bhojana Priya is a new concept of kitchen on wheels and I travel extensively throughout Karnataka and feature interesting eateries. I try and get hold of people who can showcase traditional and regional food. I like to be recognised as an actor and not a cook,” he says. <br /><br />Being active on social media networks, Chandru admits he has been a late entrant. </p>.<p><br />“My daughters taught me the ropes and now I stay connected with friends and fans alike. In fact, I have so many friends now that there is no more scope to add friends so I have asked all new people to add themselves as fans so we are connected,” he adds with a smile.<br /><br />Donning different hats<br /><br />A versatile entertainer, Chandru has never been averse to working outside his comfort zone. <br /><br />Recently, he had a 10-week stint on a dance show Thaka Dhimi Tha Dancing Star which, he says, he thoroughly enjoyed.<br /><br /> “The funny part was that I was competing with people who were almost one-third my age. But it was fun and gave me another image. I knew I was not going to win and rather enjoyed being on the show and was great when it lasted.” <br /><br />He was also an RJ on 92.7 FM and says that his first on-air stint was eight years ago, when he was there to select RJs for the radio station. However, he was requested to host the breakfast show that became a big success. <br /><br />“But that ate into my regular work time and I decided to quit. Recently, my wife and I were again approached to do a show on the legends of Kannada cinema, and it has been a fulfilling experience as we do a lot of research on the show to give listeners a complete life sketch of the person being featured. The show has received a good response.” <br /><br />A theatre lover, he adds, “I manage to do about three plays every year. I am currently working on an English play and two Kannada plays called Nimitha and Gathi. <br /><br />Theatre has been my first love and I never leave an opportunity to do the same. I do different roles away for my regular on-screen image.”<br /><br /> He has a few scripts ready and wants to direct a movie and is working on identifying a producer. And being the charmer that he is, he is sure to scale higher peaks of creative satisfaction.<br /></p>
<p>One of Kannada television’s most popular faces, Sihi Kahi Chandru has dabbled in just about everything. Be it films, tv, radio shows, or theatre, this talented actor has clearly made a mark, writes Bindu Gopal Rao.<br /><br />A conversation with him will surely leave you with a few wholehearted laughs for sure. Ace actor, comedian, cook, RJ, writer, director, producer and more, a meeting with the multifaceted Sihi Kahi Chandru left me with a lot of smiles.<br /><br />“My inclination towards acting started in school, when I did a play and after that everyone started to recognise me. Somehow I found it to be glamorous and started doing a lot of theatre and also attended workshops to understand the various facets of theatre. I then felt the urge to take up acting as a career, but I never went to any acting school and preferred to learn the hard way at work. My first big break was on Doordarshan, a Kannada serial called Sihi Kahi. Later, I also started working in several departments like writing, screenplay, direction and production. My idea then was if I failed as an actor, I would have something to fall back on,” he explains. <br /><br />Chandru’s popular films include Gowri Ganesha, Puttakkana Highway, Tenali Rama and Ganeshana Maduve.<br /><br /> “After Sihi Kahi, I did my first film called Dr Vijayanand as a hero, but that never released. I then realised that I was probably not hero material and chose to do comedy as a genre. Basically, I am a serious actor but no one takes me seriously,” he laughs.</p>.<p> Ask him why he is seen in fewer movies today and he says, “Earlier, I would do about 17 to 18 movies a year, but that changed when I started my own production house, and then I became picky, as I had lesser time at my disposal. But I still act and am in touch with the industry.”<br /><br />Television calling |<br /><br />Through his production houses Final Cut Productions and Master Productions, Chandru has three soaps dominating the small screen and two under production. <br /><br />“At present, I am in a position where I cannot refuse any work as I have 100 people working for me. So, I do a lot of productions and also make documentary films, ad films and corporate films.”<br /><br /> His show, Bombaat Bhojana, was a runaway hit, and he admits it gave him immense recognition, much beyond his expectations.<br /><br /> “Even a one-year-old who could barely speak started recognising me and calling me Bombaat,” he says. </p>.<p>The show was hugely popular, but took a toll on his health after which Chandru decided to end the show.<br /><br /> “I wanted people to look at me as an actor and did not take up any offers for new shows. Bhojana Priya is a new concept of kitchen on wheels and I travel extensively throughout Karnataka and feature interesting eateries. I try and get hold of people who can showcase traditional and regional food. I like to be recognised as an actor and not a cook,” he says. <br /><br />Being active on social media networks, Chandru admits he has been a late entrant. </p>.<p><br />“My daughters taught me the ropes and now I stay connected with friends and fans alike. In fact, I have so many friends now that there is no more scope to add friends so I have asked all new people to add themselves as fans so we are connected,” he adds with a smile.<br /><br />Donning different hats<br /><br />A versatile entertainer, Chandru has never been averse to working outside his comfort zone. <br /><br />Recently, he had a 10-week stint on a dance show Thaka Dhimi Tha Dancing Star which, he says, he thoroughly enjoyed.<br /><br /> “The funny part was that I was competing with people who were almost one-third my age. But it was fun and gave me another image. I knew I was not going to win and rather enjoyed being on the show and was great when it lasted.” <br /><br />He was also an RJ on 92.7 FM and says that his first on-air stint was eight years ago, when he was there to select RJs for the radio station. However, he was requested to host the breakfast show that became a big success. <br /><br />“But that ate into my regular work time and I decided to quit. Recently, my wife and I were again approached to do a show on the legends of Kannada cinema, and it has been a fulfilling experience as we do a lot of research on the show to give listeners a complete life sketch of the person being featured. The show has received a good response.” <br /><br />A theatre lover, he adds, “I manage to do about three plays every year. I am currently working on an English play and two Kannada plays called Nimitha and Gathi. <br /><br />Theatre has been my first love and I never leave an opportunity to do the same. I do different roles away for my regular on-screen image.”<br /><br /> He has a few scripts ready and wants to direct a movie and is working on identifying a producer. And being the charmer that he is, he is sure to scale higher peaks of creative satisfaction.<br /></p>
