<p>Actor Raghu Mukherjee thinks his biggest strength is to be able to say ‘no’ to something he’s not comfortable doing. <br /><br />He doesn’t believe in doing films just for commercial success but in concentrating only on one film at a time. Thanks to contrasting roles in ‘Dayavittu Gamanisi’ and ‘Coffee Thota’, the actor is glad that he has finally managed to shed his chocolate boy image and the kind of projects that are coming his way are proof of this fact. In an interview with Nina C George, Raghu talks about his latest projects. <br /><br />What are you working on now? <br /><br />I just wrapped up work on Rohit Padki’s film, ‘Dayavittu Gamanisi’, which has four stories that are knit together on a huge canvas. <br /><br />What got you to sign ‘Dayavittu Gamanisi’? <br /><br />I play a very frustrated software engineer in the film. It relates to today’s generation and how their lifestyles are taking a toll on them. It delves into different ideologies in the society. The story has philosophy, drama and lot of dynamics woven together. <br /><br />What is ‘Coffee Thota’ about? <br /><br />‘Coffee Thota’ is directed by T N Seetharam. I play a lawyer who fights the case <br />of an innocent young man who gets conned and is ultimately trapped in a web of issues. <br /><br />Tell us about your character? <br /><br />This is the first time that I am playing a lawyer. It was indeed a very difficult role. T N Seetharam is a lawyer himself and is very well-versed with the proceedings in a courtroom. He had a very clear idea about how my character should be. <br /><br />What preparations have gone in for your role? <br /><br />I’ve knocked off 12 kg. I managed to achieve the desired look because of a <br />disciplined exercise routine and strict diet. This role has also helped me shed <br />the loverboy tag that has been associated with me for long. <br /><br />What is your criteria for signing a project? <br /><br />I would like to work on realistic films rather than portray a larger-than-life character. <br /><br />What changes do you see in the Kannada film industry? <br /><br />The Kannada film industry is going through a transition of sorts. There’s a surge of new ideas and a change in the thought process among directors, actors and producers. Films like ‘U turn’, ‘Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu’ and ‘Shuddhi’ are proof that. <br /><br />Are you open to working in other languages? <br /><br />Earlier, I was focussed in working in Kannada cinema, but now I am open to working in other languages as well.</p>
<p>Actor Raghu Mukherjee thinks his biggest strength is to be able to say ‘no’ to something he’s not comfortable doing. <br /><br />He doesn’t believe in doing films just for commercial success but in concentrating only on one film at a time. Thanks to contrasting roles in ‘Dayavittu Gamanisi’ and ‘Coffee Thota’, the actor is glad that he has finally managed to shed his chocolate boy image and the kind of projects that are coming his way are proof of this fact. In an interview with Nina C George, Raghu talks about his latest projects. <br /><br />What are you working on now? <br /><br />I just wrapped up work on Rohit Padki’s film, ‘Dayavittu Gamanisi’, which has four stories that are knit together on a huge canvas. <br /><br />What got you to sign ‘Dayavittu Gamanisi’? <br /><br />I play a very frustrated software engineer in the film. It relates to today’s generation and how their lifestyles are taking a toll on them. It delves into different ideologies in the society. The story has philosophy, drama and lot of dynamics woven together. <br /><br />What is ‘Coffee Thota’ about? <br /><br />‘Coffee Thota’ is directed by T N Seetharam. I play a lawyer who fights the case <br />of an innocent young man who gets conned and is ultimately trapped in a web of issues. <br /><br />Tell us about your character? <br /><br />This is the first time that I am playing a lawyer. It was indeed a very difficult role. T N Seetharam is a lawyer himself and is very well-versed with the proceedings in a courtroom. He had a very clear idea about how my character should be. <br /><br />What preparations have gone in for your role? <br /><br />I’ve knocked off 12 kg. I managed to achieve the desired look because of a <br />disciplined exercise routine and strict diet. This role has also helped me shed <br />the loverboy tag that has been associated with me for long. <br /><br />What is your criteria for signing a project? <br /><br />I would like to work on realistic films rather than portray a larger-than-life character. <br /><br />What changes do you see in the Kannada film industry? <br /><br />The Kannada film industry is going through a transition of sorts. There’s a surge of new ideas and a change in the thought process among directors, actors and producers. Films like ‘U turn’, ‘Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu’ and ‘Shuddhi’ are proof that. <br /><br />Are you open to working in other languages? <br /><br />Earlier, I was focussed in working in Kannada cinema, but now I am open to working in other languages as well.</p>