It’s amazing how fans have embraced the characters I’ve played: Dhananjaya

All set to play the role of the ‘common man’ on the Kannada screen in the soon-to-be released film Kotee, actor Dhananjaya tells us about his acting process. “I detach and analyse the character’s past, present, and background. Then, I delve into their thought process. If I can truly connect with the character on a deep level, then I know I can take on the role.That’s how I’ve essayed all the roles I have played, including Jolly Reddy of Pushpa. When I go outside Karnataka, they call me ‘Hey Jolly’. Back home, it has been Daali because of my character in Tagaru. It is good to know that people have been able to relate to these characters so well,” he says.
The actor adds that the kind of posters at the back of auto rickshaws also indicate which character or film of an actor’s people have loved the most. “From Jayanagar 4th block, my short film which clicked so well with fans, to Tagaru, Popkorn Monkey Tiger, Ratnan Prapancha, Pushpa or even Jessie, I have seen images of my onscreen characters from all these films on the backs of autos. I am, therefore, able to gauge what my people like by this display. Mithai Soori, Seena, Daali, Jolly Reddy… these are all a character universe by themselves and I feel that an entire film can be fleshed out from them today.”
Speaking of his journey in the film industry for over a decade now, Dhananjaya feels that he has a lot to offer new talents. “As a former IT professional, I had no clue about filmmaking when I began my career here 11 years ago. All I did have was this mad passion for films. Yes, I’ve made mistakes during my early years. I worked and trusted all my directors, and not every film translated the way it was meant to. Today, I have got to a point where I can offer new talents the support that I did not have when I began. I like to encourage storytellers and potential actors. As an actor and producer, my criteria to choose a film remains the same: it has to have a good story. And I like to put myself in the place of an audience to see if they will relate to it. I’m glad they have liked my effort so far in supporting my films,” he explains.
‘Kotee is a simple story of a simple man that’s narrated in a simplistic way’
My association with Parameshwar Gundkal, who debuts with this film as a director, goes back a long way. I always knew he was a good writer, but it came as a surprise when I realised, he’s an exceptional storyteller on the big screen too. What I liked about the story of Kotee is that it deals with the common man. I can vouch that there is a Kotee in each of us. I saw Kotee in my driver Rudra, too. The beauty of the film lies in its simple story that is intelligently written.