Exclusive: I tread every possible path to prove myself as an actor, says Daali Dhananjaya who completes a decade in Sandalwood

A poster of ‘Director’s Special’. (Supplied)

When Guruprasad’s Director’s Special first hit the screens, it introduced Dhananjaya as an actor.

“It feels like yesterday. Over the years, I as an artist have learnt a lot and, most importantly, survivability factors. For any actor, surviving while giving his best is the biggest challenge. When I entered the film industry, I had a lot to prove to myself. I tread every possible path righteously to achieve my goals,” he says.

So, has he achieved the goals he set out for himself 10 years ago?

Dhananjaya quips, “Whatever I have achieved is only the beginning; there is a lot more to work for. It isn’t as easy as it might look from the outside.”

“One has to keep reinventing oneself at different stages to have a successful career. For instance, though Tagaru (2018) gave me a much-needed break, I had to take up production to come back as a hero in order to avoid being typecast in roles with negative shades. Luckily, it worked in my case,” he adds.

Also read: Kannada movie watchlist for June

His own production house

Daali Pictures production ‘Badava Rascal’. (Supplied)

In 2021, Dhananjaya’s first venture as a producer was Badava Rascal. He took it up under the banner of his own production house Daali Pictures. This movie was a hit that re-established his stardom as a hero.

In Tagaru, he played the character Daali and following its soaring popularity, his die-hard fans began referring to him as “Daali” Dhananjaya — a name that has since stuck with him.

He is also fondly referred to as “Nata Rakshasa” by his fans for his ferocious on-screen performances.

Though he has played the lead in movies after Tagaru, his anti-hero roles and special cameos caught the attention of his fans and the audience at large. Amongst many others, his role as Jolly Reddy in the Telugu blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise (2021), starring Allu Arjun, earned him pan-India recognition.

Also read: ‘Daredevil Musthafa’ brilliantly emphasises communal harmony

Promoting new talent

Amrutha Prem in ‘Tagaru Palya’. (Supplied)

But Daali Pictures does a bit more than just produce movies.

“There are several talented artists and technicians who find it difficult to get the right opportunities for obvious reasons. Hence, I started promoting new talent through my banner. Daredevil Musthafa (2023) is one such honest effort of mine in taking this good content and quality film to the audience,” says Dhananjaya. 

Daali presented (assisted in the release of the film) Daredevil Musthafa, which after hitting the screens has earned critical appreciation. Daredevil Musthafa is based on a short story by renowned writer Poornachandra Tejaswi.

He is also producing Tagaru Palya, which is being made by a bunch of newbies in the film industry, and it also introduces Amrutha Prem — daughter of popular Kannada actor Prem — as the female lead.

Talking about his upcoming movies, Dhananjaya says he has two in the making.

The first one is Uttarakaanda — directed by Rohith Padaki — which is in the production phase. The second one is an untitled film that he is currently shooting for, which is being made under the banner of JioStudios.

Also Read: Exclusive: ‘Hidimba’ is a historical fiction: Director Aneel