Only I decide my fee: Prakash Raj
Popular across leading film industries in India, Prakash Raj, the National Award winner, has proved many times over the years that he can do justice to any character he plays, with ease and style. He has now slipped onto the director’s seat with as much ease, with two films already on his list.
On the Director’s Seat
His latest venture Manavoori Ramayanam draws inspiration from the Malayalam film, Shutter. “I feel I had reached a comfortable zone as an actor, and so I took up directing. However, I make what I feel and like, and not what others do. The first two films didn’t do well commercially, but I do not feel bad, and I will continue directing,” he says.
The actor also confesses that it does not bother him that he has lost money because of these films. “My guru, Balachander, did a film Abaddam, which was a disaster, and he didn’t speak to me for six months, because he felt bad about giving a bad film and losing '3 crore. It shouldn’t matter. Sometimes when we want to do good work, we lose money too,” he adds.
Embroiled in Controversies
Filmmakers often accuse Prakash Raj of arriving late for shooting, and also of throwing tantrums. He denies the accusation and says, “Before I sign a film, I clearly explain what time I can arrive on the sets to shoot. I sleep at around 3 am, and wake up by 8.30 or 9 am. I can’t change my lifestyle for someone. If you like me then sign me for the movie and if you don’t then leave me out of it ,” he says.
“I don’t have a personal grudge against any director. Krishna Vamsi and I didn’t speak to each other for two years, but when he called me for his film, I immediately took it up. If they come to me, I am ready to work, but if they do the same mistakes as earlier, I will leave,” he adds.
“No one fixes my remuneration. Only I decide my fee,” he continues, as the conversation veers towards remunerations. “In the Industry, I am the only person without a manager to look after my career. I take the calls, decide on the film, remuneration, story, etc.” “Acting is only five per cent of what I do,” he says adding, “I have a lot of other things. I also give 20 per cent of my earnings to charity.”