The actor says he was initially confused about what he really intended to achieve in life. Born and brought up in Puttur, he was preparing to become an artiste while pursuing his education. After the completion of his graduation, he landed in Bengaluru and got an opportunity to work in a tele-serial, but only for an episode. With no friends or a godfather in the entertainment industry, he changed his path by working for a multinational company for almost a year and then as a photojournalist in a vernacular newspaper before he decided to take up acting seriously. Actor Rakesh Maiya, the male lead actor from the popular tele-serial Magalu Janaki on Colors Super, directed by the veteran filmmaker TN Seetharam speaks to Bengaluru Chronicle about his self-made path to find a foothold in the industry. He even has scores of short films and a couple of tele-serials to his credit along with a few offers in movies too.
“Magalu Janaki is my third tele-venture and the second one in which I play the male lead. In Avalu on Udaya TV, I was cast in a prominent role but my character in Magalu Janaki as Niranjan has brought me much-needed recognition and opportunities. Moreover, working with such veteran filmmakers was a great learning experience. In between, I have acted in several short films of which Silk Board garnered immense popularity with at least 7 lakh views on YouTube,” says Rakesh Maiya.
On his journey, the actor shares that following his graduation in MBA which he pursued from his hometown Puttur, he landed in Bengaluru and somehow managed to get an opportunity to act in a tele-serial made by BS Suresh.
“But, it was only for an episode. With no connection nor anyone to guide me, I had to work in an MNC to support myself for one year. Meanwhile, I would attend workshops on journalism due to journalist friends, and my skills as a photographer eventually got me a job as a photojournalist. But, my mind was elsewhere and after a short period of 10 months, I realised that I had to pursue my acting career more seriously. I started learning all about the industry and finally started finding work,” he adds.
That apart, Rakesh has also featured in several music videos including the one by Shachina Heggar, who has won a state award for best playback singer for the movie Kaddupudi.
The short film Silk Board where he was in the lead with actress Suvin earned appreciation as it dealt with the traffic situation around Silk Board junction in the city.
About Magalu Janaki, he says that it is a special venture and it cannot be compared with his other projects. “Seetharam Sir infuses a great deal of awareness that the audience can learn from, and it is always a value-based serial. It has been a great learning experience. I play Niranjan, who is good at heart but had lied that he was an IAS officer when he was getting married. Now, he is full of guilt as he faces a tough situation following divorce proceedings before the court of law,” he adds.
Before wrapping up, he says that he has completed the shoot for a web series produced by Rakshit Shetty titled Middle Child of History directed by Rahul PK, and has two offers to play the lead in a movie which he is yet to finalise.
