CHETAN
There’s a sincerity and passion about his opinions on social issues. He’ll back everything with authoritative facts and figures. You can’t doubt his intentions because he’s in the thick of things, be it trying to unite the fragmented factions in the film industry or empathising and supporting Anganwadi workers. He’s also an actor, one of the few in Kannada who sends female hearts racing. Chetan will appear on-screen four years after the successful ‘Myna’. ‘Noorondhu Nenapu’ is the remake of a heart-warming Marathi film, ‘Duniyadari’.
Its ten years since ‘Aa Dinagalu’, but your body of work hasn’t crossed single digits.
I’ve never felt quantity should be prioritised over quality. I’ve never thought of myself as a film actor who does social work but vice versa. When I came to India 12 years ago it was to study drama and social issues and understand ground realities. I was hesitant when I got film offers. I then thought if I get some sort of acknowledgement through cinema I’d use it to benefit society which was the purpose for coming to India. It was not to become a star. Over the years I have done a couple of good films purely because of good scripts. The industry is like liquid and we’re containers. If you stand your ground and wait for meaningful scripts you can make a change not only through films but in reality too.
Are you saying that in the last ten years you haven’t heard more than two scripts?
I don’t know what people define as good. I have to believe there’s something substantive in a film I’m doing. I had this idea that I should do one film at a time. I gave up a couple of reasonably good scripts because of that. There are some films I refused that did well. I’m just saying there are two films of mine that will stand the test of time. People close to me are saying I should do more films so it can help the causes we support. My expectations should in future be reasonable rather than very high.
Didn’t you think about this earlier that earning more money could help the issues you’re grappling with?
I never did. To me the greater cause is not through money. No amount of money is enough because our economic structure is skewed. The Government has enough money to tackle issues and has the means to raise more. So we have to see that the Government functions in the proper way. What the Government lacks is credibility. That’s something I’ve gained through cinema and social work. If I’m sincere enough it has the possibility to turn out well.
The voice of a popular star is heard louder than someone on the fringes.
People who I adore like Gandhi, Ambhedkar, Basavanna or a Medha Patkar have not done films. I don’t know if they even watched films. By dint of hard work, their dedication and lifestyle they made a difference. I can’t claim credit for a good film and use that to say my words carry weight. I should be judged for my stand on society. More films will get me noticed but I haven’t seen anyone in modern cinema take a socio, economic or political stance that would make a difference. There’s a big difference between cinema following and people who recognise your social stance.
So where does cinema stand in your scheme of things? Your second film was a star vehicle. Did the failure of ‘Birugali’ affect you enough to seek another path?
When I did my first film it was for a lark. I wanted to return, do a PHD and work in India to create social awareness. It was more a creative attempt at something that I knew very little about. I was excited though. Thanks to a terrific creative team it did well. Then I thought I’ll have the option of doing different types of roles. I was not depending on films because of the uncertainty involved. I did not want to gain from cinema but wanted to use as a podium to serve society. It gave me that.
Fame is addictive.
Fame is addictive but how much popularity do you need to do good work? It’s your ideas that people endorse and support. But our movement is shaping up and I’m looking forward to do some interesting films.
What attracted you to ‘Noorondhu Nenapu’? It’s a character driven film.
Yes, the film is a bildungsroman a German word for this kind of maturation process during the protagonist’s formative years, learning through experiences. It’s about this one guy, his college life, love and experiences. It relates to many of us. I liked that it was a period film. Every character has a strong story. I also like that it’s based on a novel which was made into a Marathi film. I’m getting the novel translated to Kannada.
Are you listening to more scripts?
I am. I’m doing a film with Mahesh Babu which is almost complete. It’s called ‘Athiratha’ and is a commercial action film. I usually give time between films but right now I’m getting in shape for a period film to be helmed by a recognised director. The script is getting ready but the subject is something that I really connect to. It comes in the wake of historically relevant times. I’m excited.
S.Shiva Kumar
