Learning from his characters

Actor Harish Raj, who  received critical acclaim for films such as ‘Dweepa’, ‘Koormavatara’, ‘Thaayi Saheba’ and ‘Kaanuru Heggadathi’, says that his journey has been satisfying though he still craves to do more movies.

The actor who has been in the industry for 18 years has grown by leaps and bounds. Starting his career as a television actor, he went on to work with the acclaimed Girish Kasaravalli.

Although the actor has grown, he says, “The child in me is still craving for more movies and more hits. Financially, there is no certainty for an actor. Sometimes we make money and sometimes we don’t but as an actor, I’m satisfied and happy. I have been part of both commercial and art cinema.”

“I have worked with several good actors and directors. I was nominated for the National Award as a best supporting actor which is a great achievement. But I have a long way to go and lot more to achieve. I’m eagerly  looking for more exciting projects to come my way,” he adds.

The actor is busy shooting for ‘Sigandur Chowdeshwari Mahime’, a movie based on Sri Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple.

The Temple is located on the banks of the river Sharavathi in Sagar near Shivamogga. The film was shot near Sagar and to reach the location, one had to take the ferry service to cover a distance of one kilometre.

The actor is paired against ‘Jackpot’ and ‘Moggina Manasu’ fame actress Shubha Poonja, and the movie is due to release in July.
 “I was offered this movie when my own production movie ‘Shree Satyanarayana’ was in the midst of making. I held back the post-production of ‘Shree Satyanarayana’ to shoot for this movie,” he says.
 “The movie is set against the backdrop of a devotional journey.  Both the plot and my character are strong which instantly drew me to sign this movie.” “I have also been associated with ‘Shree Sai’ movie, which is another devotional movie where my character is a devotee of Sai Baba. I’m very happy to be part of three devotional movies,” he points out.

“They are not just movies but a spiritual journey in itself. The spiritual calling in me has become stronger and has attained a new dimension,” he adds.

The actor confesses that the characters he played so far have added more meaning to his life. 

  “As an actor, you try to give your best to every character you play, but there are certain characters which go beyond a fictional figure and you end up learning from them.”

“All the characters I have played in the recent films have taught me patience which was lacking in me.

The characters I have enacted have helped me grow and defined my personality, ” he adds.