After a cameo appearance, this actor debuted in Tughlak. Yet, it was Suni’s Simple Love Story that brought him great appreciation and fame. He has slowly emerged as one of the most talented artistes and his unique approach towards film making is making the right noise in film circles. Rakshit Shetty is back with another hatke avatar in Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu (GBSM) starring veteran Anant Nag and directed by Hemnath Rao. The Ulidavaru Kandanthe maker speaks exclusively to Bengaluru Chronicle about GBSM, where he makes a debut as a lyricist, and also producing Kirik Party.
“I was shooting for Ricky when the director, Hemanth, came searching for me with a few friends all the way to Karkala. Initially, he had a script about a relationship between a father and son. However, it did not materialise and he went on to another project. I was very impressed by the script. After a few days, I saw the trailer of the movie and that was when I realised that he can pull it off. I called him, and asked if they had finalised another actor for the role they had initially approached me for. I am glad that I could still be a part of the film,” says Rakshit Shetty.
He plays a regular guy who comes with all the trappings of youth — he neglects his parents and family and concentrates on just his job. “My character is subtle, and the film is inspired by today’s youth. In GBSM, I neglect my aged father even though he is suffering from Alzheimer and even put him in an old age home. When my father goes missing, I start looking for him and an emotional and mind clearing journey ensues. This is where I (the son) learns and understands his father,” says Rakshit.
The director who has webbed the character of Venkob Rao played by the great Anant Nag, was very impressed by the veteran. Though he had worked with Anant Nag in Vaastu Prakara, Rakshit got an opportunity to work closely with him in this film. “I learnt a lot from him. Despite having decades of experience, his dedication to his craft is immense. I learnt that an actor needs to understand beyond what he has been prescribed through scripts and dialogues,” he says recollecting a memorable incident while shooting GBSM — he had to enact a scene in an inebriated state but as he is a social drinker, he asked the director for two large vodkas, and once he had it, he almost forgot the dialogues! Yet, he somehow pulled it off and feels that he emoted well in the particular scene.
When not shooting, Rakshit Shetty loves reading books and cannot imagine anything apart from books and films.
His debut production Kirik Party is set to go on floors in the coming weeks and his other venture Thugs of Malgudi featuring Kiccha Sudeep is his most-awaited project. For now, Rakshit has his hands full and is loving the work he is doing.
