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That heady feeling
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`You start getting involved in terms of learning, trying out new things. You can take more risks in theatre than in films.'
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WHAT HAPPENS when two people, one passionate about theatre and the other a young rising star in the film industry get together? Ahem... the eternal duel of stage versus screen continues, questions shoot off, as do the sparks and jibes.
Sunil Raoh, who started his career with Kannada telly serials Janani and Manvantara and moved on to do films like Excuse Me, Baa Baaro Rasika and the acclaimed Freaky Chakra that shot him into the national scene, chats up with Preethi Nagaraj. Preethi, a corporate communications manager with a leading hospital in the city, has been involved in theatre movements like Ranga Shankara and B. Jayashree's Spandana.
Sunil took time off from shooting his current film Chappaale and got tangled with the feisty Preethi over `Who's Sunil?' and other such questions.
Excerpts of their banter captured by BHUMIKA K.
Sunil: I haven't been much into theatre. I've done some offstage work, but never been on stage. How long have you been acting? I've heard you've been into theatre quite a bit.
Preethi: It's been quite long. I haven't kept track of the years but I took a seven-year break because I had shifted to Mysore and Bangalore... I'm from Davanagere. For the last two years I've been with B. Jayashree.
Sunil: That's been quite some time. But didn't you want to do TV or films at any time?
Preethi: I've done one assignment. But theatre demands more passion, I presume. The returns are very less, though. You've been into films for... how many years now?
Sunil: I did my first film when I was five. Then, technically speaking, this is my 20th year in the industry.
Preethi: But the noticeability factor is very high in films.
Sunil: Yeah... it is. But I guess if you make a good name for yourself in theatre, that fame and name is more than what you get in film... it's relative I guess.
Preethi: See, it's like this ... initially you're craving for some sort of identity. After a point, once it gets quite enriching for you, you are not bothered by this at all. Whether somebody recognises you or not, is not your concern. You start getting more internally involved in terms of learning, meeting people, trying out new things... you can take more risks in theatre than in films. I mean, for example, if tomorrow, someone asks you to play a negative character, but know your fans wouldn't want it, would you still take that risk?
Sunil: I would. Because, to me, the roles I play, the films and stories I do is more important than the image I portray. Very honestly, I don't believe in something called image. I want to be recognised as an artiste and actor first, for my talent. In the process if I get the tag of a star, yes. Fine. Who would not be happy with it? Once you create an image for yourself, there's a lot of pressure to stick to it. Fans may not like a role you may want to take up personally.
Preethi: That's exactly what I'm saying — that there are some roles you feel after you have taken it, will not work very well...
Sunil: No, not at all. First I check whether a role suits me and if I suit the character. Sometimes there have been scripts that have come my way, for which I have thought: `Does it need a Sunil? Anybody can play it!'...
Preethi: What's a Sunil?
Sunil: A Sunil is a decently capable actor... he might not be a great actor, not a good actor even... but not a bad or non-actor.
Preethi: Why not a good actor?
Sunil: I don't think I'm... Nobody's told me...
Preethi: But to himself?
Sunil: To myself?
Preethi: Forget what people tell you. People will never tell you you're the best.
Sunil: To myself, I'm just very conservative.
Preethi: But I think for an actor, modesty just doesn't work, right?
Sunil: It does, it keeps you wanting to do better things.
Preethi: How much of Sunil is a hero and how much an artiste?
Sunil: Sunil is neither here nor there. A major part of me is still an actor. At the same time, I'm not saying I don't care and don't want to be a hero. I have been playing lead roles for the last two years. I've had three releases and all three hits.
Preethi: Does the industry give an artist space to learn? Or does learning happen before you enter the industry? You have done TV before films. What difference do you find?
Sunil: Because of the pace of TV, you have more scope for acting. If you haven't done your best in one episode, you can do it in the next one. I'm not demeaning TV. But otherwise, there's no difference. You may have to sustain a character, though. In teleserials and films, they say you become the character after a point in time. I don't know that, because that's never happened to me. I can just get into a character like this and get out like that. That's why Deeptiji used to call me a `switch-on switch-off' actor on the sets of Freaky Chakra. I would create a hungama on the sets, playing the guitar and she would keep telling me, `Let me be... I get into my character... I'm a method actor.'
Preethi: How exhausting is film? (laughs)
Sunil: Very (laughs), if you're not a natural dancer or fighter, it can take the stuffing out of you.
Preethi: What does it mean to have the famous singer B.K Sumitra for your mother?
Sunil: It's inspiring... I may sound corny and mushy. Just because she's my mother, I take her so much for granted as a mother. But you go out and you see people in awe of her. There's one flop dialogue that says in all: `World famous in Karnataka'. That's what my mom is. I'm proud to be known as her son. But at the same time, I can take the liberty to be myself.
Preethi: How close is music to you?
Sunil: Music is 24/7. It's on subconsciously. Even as I'm speaking to you, I'm here only 95 per cent. The other part of me is listening to the bass pattern in the music playing in the background now.
Preethi: What are the kind of things you had to give up, for acting?
Sunil: Oh sikkapatte (lots of stuff). Sleep, most importantly! And my music has taken the backseat for now. Sunil the actor may not survive or may run out of ideas. But Sunil survives on music.
Preethi: You have this chocolate boy image that not many have in the industry. Has it worked to your advantage?
Sunil: Yes, it's an advantage. Because not many have this homey boy-next-door look, with all due respects to all actors. Earlier, films didn't cater to an entire family, specially to the woman in the family.
Preethi: (laughs) I like this point!
Sunil: But today, the tearkjerkers included, have been successful in getting female audiences to the theatre. And whichever film gets the female audience to the theatre is a success. Guys like me Raghu, Appu, Murli, Sudhir, Darshan — the younger generation — have the looks that girls see everyday. I'm 26 and don't look it. We have a female fan following — college girls, aunties watching TV at home...
Preethi: How often do you change your cell number?
Sunil: Actually I haven't changed it in the last four years.
Preethi: Then let's publish your number in the paper !!!!!! (both laugh)
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