Cinema is bigger than star actors and production houses: Kannada actor Darshan

‘Cinema is bigger’

Challenging Star Darshan with the debutant Aradhanaa in ‘Kaatera’. (Supplied)

“I always say that cinema is bigger than any actor, or star actor, or production house. We all exist because of cinema and everyone’s contribution matters here — right from the spot boy and technicians to actors, directors, and producers,” Darshan said.

The actor is currently shooting for his upcoming film Kaatera which is based on real-life incidents set in the 1970s.

While 90 percent of the shooting of the film is complete including the climax of the film, only the shoot of three songs is pending.

According to the team, even the post-production works are also being taken up simultaneously.

Darshan said he liked the story written by director Tharun  Sudhir along with Jadesh Kumar Hampi and was also impressed with Tharun’s narration.

He said producer Rockline Venkatesh immediately gave the green signal to the project without any changes in the script.

Rockline Venkatesh, who was present at the press meet, explained that Kaatera is a close-to-reality film where minute details are shot to near perfection and would remind the audience of the 1970s.

“A majority of my films, to date, are remakes since it is difficult for any writer-director to convince me to do a straight subject. Kaatera will certainly be a highlight of Darshan’s career. The audience will see more of his impeccable acting skills alongside stardom in a realistic manner,” he added.

Challenging star #DarshanThoogudeepa #Kaatera 🎤@dasadarshan #Darshan#ChallengingStarDarshan pic.twitter.com/OPL4CgYSVb

— Shashiprasad SM (@smshashiprasad) September 11, 2023

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Thanks his seniors

Darshan in ‘Kaatera’. (Supplied)

The Kannada movie also stars senior actor Vinod Alva who is making a comeback to the film industry. The other cast includes Telugu actor Jagapathi Babu, Kumar Govind, Shruthi, Avinash, and Viijanath Biradar.

“I’m thankful to the senior actors for their love and appreciation. I worked as a light boy for Chikka (1997) starring Kumar Govind. As far as Avinash is concerned, he acted in most of my films,” Darshan recalled.

About Jagapathi Babu, he said that though a moody actor, he eventually became so close that he once brought home-cooked food for the entire crew while in Hyderabad that the film team were in no mood to work after eating such a sumptuous meal.

Aradhanaa’s debut

Kaatera will mark the debut of Aradhanaa, the daughter of Kannada star actress Malashree and late Kannada producer Ramu.

About her being part of the film, director Tharun Sudhir revealed that Darshan asked him to give priority to Kannada actresses. While in search of a new talent, Rockline Venkatesh shared with Tharun a profile of a wannabe actress. Later, he learnt that she was Malashree’s daughter.

Aradhanaa in ‘Kaatera’. (Darshan/ Instagram)

“I was sceptical as to how we could convince (Malashree) madam. However, it was she who insisted that we cast Aradhanaa only if she suited the role post-audition,” Tharun recollected.

“Many would say that Aradhanaa got the role because she is Malashree’s daughter. When doctors’ kids can become doctors and politicians’ kids can become politicians, then why not actors’ kids,” he questioned.

According to the filmmaker, the first shot they took of Aradhanaa was the most difficult part where she confronts the lead actor with a machete on the neck.

“The moment Aradhanaa performed it effortlessly, I looked at our cinematographer Sudhakar S Raj and we both instantly nodded our heads with a smile,” he added.

Darshan, too, heaped praises on Aradhanaa for her hard work and wished that she reach stardom like Rachitha Ram who debuted in his film Bul Bul (2013).

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