Mane matters, especially if you are like Janardhan, of marriageable age with a brother who’s constantly whispering endearments into his mobile and prospective brides turn you down after a single glance. Raj Shetty is able to treat this predicament with mirth and the right amount of self pity. Every scene in Ondhu Motteya Kathe reflects the confidence Raj has in his craft. The self deprecation, in the end earns more empathy. You do wonder why he’s making such a big deal out of this but then you must be someone who carries a comb in his pocket.
“This is the first time I’m coming here,” says Raj as we enter Lal bagh. “Your film is the talk of the town,” chirps a lady lolling on a stone bench. “Thanks, have you watched the film? Did you like it?” asks a delighted Raj.
The interview:
When was your first brush with fame?
It was at Kamakya theatre. People mobbed me, took pictures and I was surprised when I heard the house was full. I was shocked to hear that tickets were being sold in black. I’m very happy people have accepted me.
Is being bald really so bad and depressing?
Looks are a priority today. We want to look our best even on Facebook. There are strong characters who don’t bother, but others like Janardhan are plenty. When we uploaded the trailer, the feedback was full of abuses. They were not able to accept a film that looked at the lighter side of baldness. It’s not their problem but society that is prejudiced. It’s very sad.
Read the movie review:
Did you have to place the drama in a small town because baldness is no longer a big deal in the city?
Small cities retain certain innocence. People in the city do not have the time to empathise. Mangalore is a small city where these things still matter. The language there is soft and poetic which helped.
Was there an autobiographical trigger to this?
Yes, yes. This happens to most bald people. I start liking someone but she feels, ‘how dare he fall for me’. That hurts because the only difference with others is the lack of hair which is magnified. This stops us from approaching the next girl. It’s the biography of every bald man including mine. There’s no doubt. Society doesn’t help. Teasing is a form of hiding one’s own inadequacies. I’ve faced plenty of snide remarks. Yes it was triggered by my experiences.
You first planned this as a short film. It’s not easy expanding that into a feature length. What did you have to add to elongate the story?
I had to add Raj Kumar. Adding him made it easier for Janardhan to take some crucial decisions in life. He’s passive and needs motivation which Raj Kumar gives through songs and dialogues. Also there’s Srinivas his guide.
Are you really a fan or was it a commercial ploy?
I’m a fan of his Kannada diction. I don’t think anyone can speak Kannada like him, ever. Nobody can perform like him in a mythological. That’s a personal opinion. Also the way he handled fame. It was amazing. Janardhan, my character in the film is a bigger fan. The reason is that he’s a Kannada lecturer.
Sarala is a girl who seems to fall for your family more than you because that’s what she’s missing. Your character doesn’t seem to recognise that conflict.
There’s no benchmark for beauty or love and it changes according to our convenience. She starts by saying she wants to be friends but is confused when my mother in the film says I love her and want to marry only her. She has also been rejected and for the first time meets someone who sees beauty in her. She’s the only ‘filmi’ character in the film spouting lines like living with you for four days is enough in this lifetime.
Are you a fan of Iranian films?
I’m a very big fan.
The minimalistic style resembles their films.
I would say Malayalam cinema because Iranian films are even more natural. I feel if I could get a chance to make another film I will inculcate a lot more details. I’m also a fan of the acting style in Martin Scorcesse’s films.
It’s difficult to say if you’re a better actor or director. Your casting is also spot on. Everyone just reacts aptly to situations.
I followed a bit of method acting. I’ve been a film fan since childhood. I’d try to act in front of the mirror. It gave me happiness. I walked around in the costumes I was supposed to wear, also the glasses. His gait is different. I practised that. The rest of the cast rehearsed for two months. I insisted that a thread from Kattil worn by a character is authentic. Others may not notice but I wanted to satisfy myself.
You can make the best of films but still need a Pawan Kumar to entice people to watch it, at least initially. Did he make it later or was he in the initial scheme of things?
The movie was completed. I had the confidence that I’d made a reasonably good film. I knew we couldn’t sell the film. Distributors would have kicked me out when they learnt I was the hero. We released a song on YouTube. Harish Mallya, a friend liked the film and put us on to Pawan. He liked it a lot. It’s his greatness that he was not judgemental. You’re right. He was a major factor for the film seeing the light of day.
What have you heard from reliable sources?
It’s great. I’ve decided not to worry about how much money the film makes but tickets are selling in ‘black’ in single screens.
Mangalore is my town and I know plenty of people but they gave us only seven screens initially but have added 12 more now. That’s the box-office verdict. I should thank the people.
There’s no benchmark for beauty or love and it changes according to our convenience. I’ve decided not to worry about how much money the film makes but tickets are selling in ‘black’ in single screens.
