Sunny days
S. SHIVA KUMAR
|
Aditya's launch film Love didn't exactly set the box office on fire. But the success of Deadly Soma has made him a much sought after star today
|
Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.
ROLE CALL Aditya: `I like acting because I can live others' lives'
The scene is the premier show of Love. The cast, crew and their close friends and relatives are watching the film for the first time. The atmosphere is filled with expectation. Nearly everyone has something at stake. Producer Jai Jagdish, for one, has pumped in big money. And debutant Aditya, just before the titles begin to roll, walks back a few rows and seeks his grandma's blessings.
Love did not go on to set the box office on fire. But Aditya, son of well-known director S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu, showed promise. Today, with a mature performance in the hit Deadly Soma, Aditya is in demand. He still has to shrug off the stiffness he shows on screen, especially in the romantic roles. The full-length comedy he's attempting next should be his acid test.
Excerpts from an interview:
So, did you just walk up to your dad and say I want to become an actor?
My love affair with cinema started when I was a kid. I would visit my dad's sets. I mark the third generation in films. It's in my blood.
But most of your family works behind the camera.
My aunt and grandmother were actresses and my uncle was an actor. My dad happens to be the only technician. I produced a few films and then got into acting.
Did you produce films on your own?
With my uncle Jai Jagdish as partner. We won a National award too. I like acting because you can live others lives. One day my dad suggested I undergo training because he wanted to launch me. I did a course with Kishore Namit Kapoor in Mumbai and that's how Love happened. It gave me the right break. My launch vehicle is one of the best that any newcomer can get. It's a milestone in the Kannada film industry in terms of budget.
Your father seemed to be over-enthusiastic about showcasing your talent in Love. Do you think someone less emotionally involved would have done a better job?
For a newcomer like me, the collections were mind-blowing. We couldn't complete 100 days, yes. We went wrong in the sense that there was more action. There were no tender love scenes. In my next film with dad, we will compensate for that.
Did you do the Hindi version of AK-47 more for emotional reasons?
Sort of, yes. Director Ram Shetty was also the action director for Love. The banner was big, and moreover, a Kannada film was being remade in Hindi and a Kannada actor was the hero. I just gave it a shot. The film did run for 100 days. I may do another project for the same banner to be shot at the Grand Canyon. In Mumbai, you see so many strugglers. This film was offered to me on a platter.
Did you wonder why you were offered Deadly Soma?
I didn't know the title when the film was offered. Director M.S. Ramesh introduced me to Ravi Srivatsa who had a good story. As soon as I heard the narration, I was hooked. He told me there would be no make-up and that I had to grow my hair long and sport and stubble. I wondered why rowdies had to look unkempt, but that was his vision. I told him that I have dark circles under my eyes, but he insisted that it would add to the tormented look.
Isn't acting made out to be much easier than it is? It sure is a very insecure profession.
You're right. Every artiste is insecure. You need a lot of patience. You may have to sit idle for hours together. Shooting in public places is not easy. You have to work gruelling hours in inhuman conditions sometimes, but when you watch it all on screen, you feel it's all worth it.
You must have had an idol.
Many. I've grown up watching Amitabh Bachchan's films. He's inspired me a lot. Today, if we have a legend it's him. It's a joy watching him on screen. There's my dad who's put in 50 years of hard work in the industry. Then there's Dr. Raj Kumar. He's one of our finest actors. He lives his characters.
Are you doing a lot of films on the rowdy theme?
No. I've rejected 21 such scripts. I don't want to be typecast. I want people to wonder what I'll do next. I'm playing a rowdy in Ambi, but it's a love story treated differently. I'm doing a comedy and also a film about corruption.
Do acting courses really help?
Nobody can teach you acting. It's a talent you're born with. You are taught the science of acting and techniques, like dialogue delivery and the mannerisms of a particular character. The courses hone your skills. They instil confidence and eliminate camera fear.
Today, will Aditya the producer find Aditya the star saleable enough to sign for a movie?
Aditya the producer is lying low for now. I've seen the best and the worst. But yes, Aditya the star is saleable today. I will be producing a film in a couple of years. My dream is to direct, not now, but in about five years. I'll not star in it.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
