Filmmaking is indeed a combination of art and science, which requires both, a creative mind and technical knowledge. While there are crucial departments in the process of making a movie, it is the director who makes the ultimate decision. It is his baby, as many put it. While there is a huge list of renowned directors who have turned actors but the opposite of it is quite a phenomenon with only a few actors, who made it as successful directors. The latest to join the bandwagon of actors turning directors, is Duniya Vijay. He is not only acting and producing his next titled Salaga, but is also making his debut as a director. In fact, it was supposed to be directed by another but a sudden change in plans has put Vijay as the captain of his own ship. Bengaluru Chronicle reports on such actors who have turned directors.
SALAGA, THE TUSKER: Duniya Vijay, who made it big with the film Duniya, has been in the news for controversies relating to his personal life than his movies as an actor lately. More recently, he launched two of his most ambitious projects, one being Kushti and another titled Salaga meaning Tusker. In fact, Salaga was to be directed by Raghu Shivamogga, but he eventually opted out of it putting Vinay in charge of the film. The latter took it as a challenge as he was keen on making his directorial debut.
At the launch of his film, Duniya Vijay shared that he entered the industry to become an actor and now a new challenge has come his way and he is trying his hand at it. “Right from the title of the movie to the script and every minute details involved in it has been carefully dealt with. Through Salaga, I’m sharing my personal experiences with the police department and as well as some experiences which I have learnt about the underworld. I am sticking to the basics of narrating a story with a sensible making,” he says.
Prakash Raj
THE BEST actor: The versatile Shankar Nag, who is undoubtedly the best in this category who not only made it big in Sandalwood but had also carved a niche for himself in other languages and in theatre as well. He started his acting career in Girish Karnad’s Ondnondu Kaladalli for which he even won an award and then eventually shifted to direction. Minchina Ota, Januma Janumada Anubandha, Ondu Muttina Kathe, Accident, Nodi Swamy Navirodu Heege, and a few more are considered evergreen classics. His television series Malgudi Days is a class apart.
THE OTHERS: After Shankar Nag, it is the Crazy Star V Ravichandran, who tops the list of actors who later shifted gears to direction. He started with Khadeema Kallaru, and acted in several films in supporting roles before his big break in Premaloka which marks his directorial debut. It featured Juhie Chawla in it. Thereafter, he has directed several hit films. His previous was Apoorva and he is currently directing Rajendra Ponnappa. “It is direction which has always been very close to my heart. It gives me the liberty to explore and give the best to the audience. As an actor I limit myself to what the director asks me to do,” says the crazy star.
AND, SOME MORE..
Sandalwood’s sensational actor Kichcha Sudeepa has also tried his hand at direction with films like Autograph, #73 Shaanthi Nivaasa, Veera Madakari, Just Math Mathalli, Kempe Gowda and Maanikya. On the other hand, the versatile Ramesh Aravind started with Rama Shama Bhama with many more to his list. He is currently directing Butterfly, the remake of Queen. In Tamil, it’s titled Paris.
Prakash Raj, Arjun Sarja, Ganesh, and Jaggesh too make it to the list of actors who have also directed in sandalwood.
