Thursday Apr 17 2008, Bangalore

I want to play what I am not: Chetan

Chetan who shot to fame with last year's much acclaimed Aa Dinagalu was nowhere to be seen after that film.Now the handsome hero is back after a short hiatus with a new flick called Birugaali to be directed by Harsha.The US-returned actor opens up his heart to Filmysouth and gets candid about his films, aspirations and dreams.

Q.There was a break after your first film.

A.Aa Dinagalu was a great film.Actually I was not at all the hero but a mere character in that film.The role was so powerful that I got recognition afterwards.I want to do such kind of roles.I don't want to bag each and every opportunity that comes my way.I want to do the roles what I am not.I have got a number of offers.But most of them were of the similar kind of roles.Acting as an NRI or a lover boy is not a tough task.
Acting what I am not is the most difficult one for me.That's why I waited for the right kind of role.I am playing one such role in Birugaali.

Q.How do you select a film?

A.while selecting a film, I look four major things in it.Firstly, the entire story and its flow, secondly, I look for freshness.The third point is that I seriously think if the role requires particularly ‘me’, and finally, I look for the expertise in the director.I think director is the captain of the ship.I look forward to interact with him in terms of other matters too, besides the film.

Q.You returned from the US just to be the part of theatre here? Now as you are busy in films, what would happen to your dream?

A.I have been thinking about doing a play for quite some time now.Chaitanya and Sharath Lohitashwa were actually planning a play which might start by the end of the year.I may be a part of it.

Q.You have been quite passionate about stage and literature.How comfortable are you with the regular commercial cinema?

A.I don't have any problems with it.I would love to identify my role in the cinema instead of me.That's what happened in Aa Dinagalu.Everyone was astonished to see me in that role and most of them asked whether it was really I who acted in the film.I just want to be recognized as a good actor, that's all.When I came back I thought that much of artistic sense is involved in this medium.Slowly I realized that a lot of commerce is also involved in this.If that is so, I will work according to it.

Q.What are your future projects?

A.I really don't know.I may act in Chaitanya's next film.
Apart from that, I have not taken up any projects.