Director Puri Jagannadh’s Rogue marks the debut of actor Ishaan, and he is all chuffed ahead of the film’s release on March 31. “I am both nervous and excited right now,” says the actor who is the brother of Manohar, a popular Kannada producer. Ishaan is from Bengaluru but is fluent in both Telugu and Kannada.
“I worked with my brother’s production house for nearly a year and a half. Then I went to Vizag to learn the basics from Satyanand sir,” shares the actor, who feels he’s got a dream debut. “I am a huge fan of Puri sir and the way he portrays his lead actors. When he said he’d do a film with me, I was over the moon,” he recalls.
“He didn’t take me lightly because I was a debutant. He gave me a proper story narration and said that he’d come up with another story if we didn’t like this one,” shares Ishaan, who loved what he heard. “He treated me like his son and always gave inputs while shooting. Every day, he would discuss the scenes and dialogues. I felt nervous in the beginning, but he put me at ease,” adds Ishaan.
Puri’s last few films haven’t done well at the box office. Isn’t Ishaan worried? “No. I feel privileged to be introduced by him. He creates stars and has given many blockbusters,” says the actor.
Ishaan apparently has no plans ahead. “Many have been approaching me with offers in both Telugu and Kannada but I am waiting for the film’s release, and feedback. Only then will I take a call,” shares the actor who reveals that the delay in the film happened because his brother was busy with the MLC elections in Karnataka.
Ishan is quite excited to be making his debut in a bilingual film. “It was fun juggling Telugu and Kannada,” he says, adding, “When Puri sir wrote this story, he took me to Bangkok and explained every scene to me. That helped me get into character.”
How does he feel about the competition in Telugu, as many young actors are coming up with different concepts and roles? “I have a lot of friends in Tollywood and it’s always a healthy competition, and I know I have to come up with challenges to sustain myself,” says Ishan, as he signs off.
