Oh Captain, His captain!

His last appearance was as the hero in Hrudayadali Idenidu in 2008. Despite good reviews, it was washed away against the release of the Superstar Rajinikanth starrer Robot. Bad luck courted talented anchor-turned-actor Rahul for a long time and he had to wait almost eight years for a comeback. While he blames his over-confidence for this long wait, Rahul’s luck shines bright as he is working with Kiccha Sudeep in Jigarthanda. Rahul speaks to Bengaluru Chronicle about his struggling days, and the four people who changed his life.

“It was in 2008 when my last film as a hero Hrudayadali Idenidu was released. Back then, even before the release, I had lots of good offers but I was unlucky that the movie could not do well at the box office. I did not lose hope, and cricket which is my other passion kept me busy. During the Raj Cup, I met Kiccha Sudeep, whom I fondly call ‘My Captain.’ When I got selected to play in Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), I met Priya madam. Before meeting maam, I thought she would have an attitude. But, I have not seen a person who is so down-to-earth and supportive like her,” says Rahul.

Rahul’s career started as an anchor which he took to as a hobby during college.  “If not for Captain (Kiccha), Priya maam, my mother and the producer Raghunatha, I could not have made it back. It was my mother who stuck by me through my bad phase, and without her I cannot imagine being here for this better phase. It all started when I did a small role in Captain’s directorial Maanikya. As I have always shared my feelings, and struggles with both Captain and Priya maam, they saw my passion. It was maam, who suggested my name, and the project kicked off and now it as grown into a big budget film. I cannot be more grateful, as I never asked for such a gift that was given to me by both of them,” shares Rahul.

About the grave mistake of releasing a film in the same week of the great Rajinikanth’s Robot, he mulls, “Even today, the songs and the making are appreciated. Even big stars had postponed their films but the producer insisted upon releasing it relying on his own calculations. However, it didn’t do well. I learnt a lot while acting in Maanikya, and I have grown as an actor watching Captain perform. He has been an inspiration, and working alongside great artists such as Ravi Shankar, Chikkanna, Sadhu Kokila, and Samyukta has also boosted my confidence.”

The producer of Hebbuli Raghunath showed faith in me, and the star cast such as Ravishankar and Chikkanna shot for Jigarthanda for over 60 days and it took 90 days to wrap up. Rahul is happy that good fortune is finally shining on him and reveals that he is getting good offers now, and will soon announce his forthcoming projects.