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An
Interview with Actor/Director Adarsh
- Harish Mattur,
Bangalore |
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Since his first film dumbee released in
January this year, he is in news. He has been the subject of discussion in
Gandhinagar. Film magazines and Kannada weeklies flashed the news about his
alleged affair with actress Radhika. His film was also subjected to
controversy. Although his film did not do well at the box office, critics believe
this man has potential to be a very good actor director, like Upendra of whom
this man is a diehard fan. I met Adarsh at the press club for an exclusive
interview.
OKC:
Your debut film Dumbee was also the your first as a director, tell us about
your film.
Adarsh: It was a dream come true for me. I always used to dream
about directing a film one day. I enjoyed the whole process of film making.
Its an exciting journey. I must admit that it was easy to work for me because
I had a wonderful star cast and crew. So making of Dumbee was fun.
OKC: But the film opened to a mixed response. It was not well received by
women especially.. What are your comments on that ?
Adarsh: There are several reasons for that. When the film released on
Jan 10th,the opening was encouraging. Even the critics told me ,it was a
decent film. but the publicity was not that great. The hype was not there. I
personally had to run around Bangalore to paste the posters of the film. I
also think we released the film at the wrong time. As the world cup was to
start in March, we were very cautious. The third reason for my film's failure
is the theatres in which we released the film: Tribhuvan in Bangalore, Olympia
in Mysore and Roopam in Hubli, were all ordinary theaters where not much women
go to see films. To add to all these a kannada weekly reported on its front
pages that we are are showing a censored portion of the film in the theatre. I
must admit there was not even a single such scene in the film.
OKC: Don't you think some section of the press were harsh on you ?
Adarsh: Yes I agree. Certain film critics were very harsh on me. But
there also some journalists who have encouraged me. For a new director its
disheartening to see so much critisism. But that is how the media works right now. You
must get used to all this. Only then you can be a good director. I accept my
mistakes if have done them. So I believe its like a learning process for me.
OKC: After the stupendous success of Tavarige Baa Thangi ,you must have got
a lot of offers to act in a negative role.
Adarsh: Tavarigi Baa Thangi was the turning point of my career. I t was
the biggest hit of 2002.For both me and Shivanna (Shivrajkumar), it was a very
vital film. Although I played a character with negative shades, I was
appreciated for my acting. If I get some interesting negative roles, I will do
them.
OKC: There was also a controversy which followed the success of the film.
Adarsh: All this began when a kannada weekly reported that my role has
been shortened in the film. it also claimed that I had spoken to them about it. but
I have never spoken to anybody about the length of the role. My producer Mr
Gowda and also Director Saiprakash were upset when they read the news, but I
told them the truth, and matters were amicably sorted out.
OKC: You came to the limelight due to the popular TV serial Dandapindagalu.
Tell us about the serial.
Adarsh: Well, working with Phani Ramachandra sir was like going to film school. He
is a perfectionist. We worked extremely hard for the film. We also knew it
would be a huge success. But for me the positive things I learnt from Phani
sir was a bonus. He taught us the art of perfect dialogue delivery, the
intonations and modulations etc. The other important gain was the friendship
of Hemanth, Sunil puranik, Dr Kashyap and Harish. These guys are my backbone. They
have supported and encouraged me throughout my career. They are all fun loving
and crazy like me. Their sense of humor is amazing.
OKC: You are also a post graduate in film making. How was your college
days?
Adarsh: I did my pg in film making from Mysore university. Those two years
in college taught me a lot. We made some short films in college. I used to do
work in every department of film making. I was a script writer, actor,
director and editor. So learning film making made this easy for me now. after
college I joined S V Rajendra Singh Babu as an assistant director.
OKC: Babu is one of the best directors we have,do you wish to emulate him
and follow his footsteps?
Adarsh: Babu sir has given us some great films. His Bandhana, Antha,
Muthina Haara were simply superb. Now he has changed his style of films. He is
making comedies now. I think Kurigalu saar Kurigalu was a hilarious comedy. I
was his assistant when he made Doni saagali with Saundarya. I believe it would
be great if I can make films like him.
OKC: As a director who is your inspiration?
Adarsh: Puttanna Kanagal. He was the one who changed the whole concept of
film making in kannada. When all the other directors were making films with
actors as central characters, he chose actresses like Kalpana, Arati to play
the central roles. He was technically very sound.His musical taste is evident
in his movies. They have some melodious songs. among others,
Manirathnam and Ramgopal varma are very good. I also admire uppi (upendra). I
am his die hard fan.
OKC: Don't you think remakes are killing the originality and creativity of
film makers?
Adarsh: Yes that true. I wont make any remake films as a director. But as
an actor I cant say no to remakes. Remember we are a very small industry
compared to Hindi ,Tamil and telugu.
To withstand the competition we have to make compromises. Even the bollywood
film makers copy from Hollywood. So there should be a balance of both original
and remake movies.Only then the film industry can survive.
OKC: You worked with Hamsalekha for your film Dumbee, Tell us about the
music of the film.
Adarsh: Music plays a very vital role in a films success. So I knew I had
to work with the best. Hamsalekha sir composed these tunes when I told him the
whole story of the film.
He has given us some very good songs. Especially Kshamisayya sung by Rajesh
Krishnan is very good.
OKC: Tell us about your
family.
Adarsh: My father is an Ayurvedic Doctor. My mom is a housewife. My elder brother, has
completed his MBBS degree, He is studying PG degree in London. They are very
supportive and encouraging. Without their support I wouldn't have reached
here.
OKC: There are rumors that you are marrying actress Radhika.
Adarsh: I don't know how these rumors began. I have never met Radhika for
the past 2 months. Even she must be upset about these false rumors. I am not
marrying anybody right now. I have a lot to achieve before I can even think of
marriage.
OKC: What are your upcoming projects?
Adarsh: I am acting in four films right now. I am planning to start my
next film as a director in June. This one will be a suspense thriller. it will
have three dimensional story. The climax will be the highlight of the film. I
want to release my films abroad. I am sad that unlike other languages kannada
films are not often released abroad. We have to do some thing about it.
OKC: We hope you can release your films abroad. We wish you the best of
luck for all your future projects. thanks for a wonderful interview
Adarsh: Thank you.
- Harish
Mattur, Bangalore
Click here
if you would like to Contribute or send a feedback.
Click
here Kannada Movie section in English.
Click
here Kannada Movie section in Kannada.
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