JOIN USWho can forget the character of Bala in ‘Madras Cafe’, the exasperating George Kutty in ‘Airlift’, the upright officer in ‘Wazir’ and the evil cop in ‘Kendasampige’? All these characters eventually boil down to one person — actor Prakash Belawadi, who has essayed these characters with elan. In a chat with Nina C George, Prakash talks about his experience of working in Bollywood and the changes he would like to see in the Kannada film industry.
How did you enjoy playing the role of George Kutty in ‘Airlift’?
I thoroughly enjoyed my character and the credit for helping me effortlessly slip into the role goes to director Raja Krishna Menon. Akshay Kumar’s idea of humour is very well-nuanced and he can see humour even in the oddest of situations.
What was it like working with Amitabh Bachchan in ‘Wazir’?
I had never imagined that I would get to work with Amitabh Bachchan and
when I finally did, I was in complete awe of the man. There was no preparation
for my role but I was overwhelmed to be sharing
screen time with him.
How is Bollywood treating you?
I think directors from Bollywood look for something specific whenever they offer me a role. I am grateful for the kind of characters that are offered to me and lucky that the scripts too are thoroughly engaging and rich in content.
How do you choose your scripts?
If it’s a Hindi film, I am lucky that I usually get considered for a good cameo role. I keep getting offers in Kannada and of late in Telugu, too, but I now seek a narration and script, try to find out a bit about the director and team before agreeing, because I’ve had a couple of not-so-happy experiences. I would like to be a part of original works and not remakes.
Is the Kannada film industry going through a transition of sorts?
Well, to be candid, it had to happen or the Kannada cinema market would have shrunk even further. I am happy that even the big stars are now beginning to think in terms of original and innovative work. I am hopeful that we’ll soon discover a Kannada way of imagining cinema, a Kannada genius informed of both cinematic creation and audience appreciation.
Has the Kannada film industry overcome its obsession for remakes?
Overcome? No, not yet. But a critical introspection is underway and you can sense it in the conversations and quarrels we have in discussions of script and production.
One change that you would like to see in Kannada cinema...
Equal roles for women in the movies. They are so big in our lives, but seem to have neither purpose nor agency in our cinematic narratives. They are, of course, lovers and mothers and sisters, but they are also colleagues at the work place. They make up about half of all people but cinema reduces them to objects of interest.
Your worst fears?
I am afraid that humans will destroy the planet. We are intelligent in our imagination and creativity, but not so kind in intent and action.
The most powerful people on earth are planning war and torture and acts of
genocide. There are too many of us growing too fast like cancer, incredibly greedy, and always consuming. I am paranoid that we’ll destroy all life on the planet in the process.