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Straight talk

Darshan, famous for his anti-hero roles in Kannada cinema, speaks from his heart

HARD ACT TO FOLLOW Darshan: `People are used to seeing me in violent roles. As box office returns suggest, they do not accept me in a soft role'

Actor Darshan is famous for his anti-hero image on screen. And Mangaloreans got a chance to see him in flesh and blood when he came here as part of his brand promotion activities.

Darshan's on-screen image has given him a cult following and sponsors are eager to cash in on that. He is the brand ambassador for Knockout beer and it is also rumoured that a watchmaker wants to sign him. When asked about his on-screen image, he simply said: "The villains are the real heroes."

Roles

So, does acting come easily to him? "A little of the genes from my father Tugudeepa Srinivas has rubbed off on me. Perhaps this is why the portrayal of a wronged person who resorts to violence comes naturally to me. Moreover, these are the roles that directors have cast me into. When I played the role of a blind musician in Namma Preethiya Ramu, it did not do very well. People are accustomed to seeing me in these violent roles. As box office returns suggest, they do not accept me easily in a soft role. However, I dabble in all kinds of roles. Datta, my next film scheduled for release in June is an out and out comedy."

When asked whether he had any dream role in mind he said: "I work long hours and I am so tired that when I hit the bed, I don't dream. Besides, I do not have the habit of dreaming with my eyes open."

A veteran

A veteran of 23 films including Tangigagi, which is under production, Darshan rates his performances in all movies as special. "Each of these films is very dear to me."

On remake films, the actor said: "Sometimes remakes are much better than the original. Moreover, it is the creativity of the producer, which gives life to the subject, even if it based on an original work. However, not all remake efforts are worth it. And in Kannada film industry, our budget is much less compared to film industries in the south, especially Telugu and Tamil industries. We have a limited market compared to Tamil and Telugu films. They can sell films in South East Asian and other Asian markets. Here fans crib to pay Rs. 30 for balcony seat for Kannada films. Moreover, even our audience is limited in that there is greater preference for Tamil and Telugu movies in many parts of the State."

JAIDEEP SHENOY

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