ROOTED Chetan: ‘I learnt to read and write Kannada at home before I learnt English. It’s about priorities’

Salman Rushdie would call him the perfect example of a ‘translated man’. He was born and lived all his life in the US but has imbibed the best of both worlds. This is evident when his ‘shuddha’ Kannada is replaced by a Yankee twang with effortless ease. He’s Chetan, the hero of “Aa Dinagalu”. ‘Agni’ Sreedhar realised he’d found his protagonist as soon as he met Chetan. “There’s a striking physical resemblance and he has not disappointed,” says Sreedhar.

A chiselled body, sharp features and large eloquent eyes make him perfect mainstream hero material. Success is still seeping in but he wants it entirely on his terms. He’s prepared to wait for projects that appeal to and excite him. He’s animated and expansive while talking but is apprehensive when our photographer appears. “I look dishevelled,” he moans, scratching his stubble but relaxes when we assure him he looks great.

The interview:

Do you believe in destiny?

What do you mean?

Well I don’t think films were in your scheme of things?

Well sometimes things happen that are not predicted or expected. But I was on the path. I was in the performance arts which is something I’ve been doing for over twenty years. When I came to India it was to act in plays and understand it. I don’t think this was an out of the way jump for me. I came to study theatre and this is also acting which is where my interest is.

But you wanted to delve into theatre more….

I wanted to delve into performance arts. Cinema is theatre aided by technology. That’s what I believe. There are a lot of people in Bangalore who dabble in cinema and theatre. There are stalwarts in Hindi like Shabana and Naseer and here there’s Anant Nag.

You say you’ve been performing for over 20 years. Is it in your DNA structure?

Professionally both my parents are physicians but they have always been performing onstage. Sometimes our interests lie in one place but we go elsewhere for various reasons. My mom sings and dad has acted. Basically, they’ve allowed me to do what I enjoy. I started doing one act plays when I was about five years old. I play the saxophone and enjoy dancing too.

You chose this as your profession too.

They gave me the chance to express myself. This is something I’ve enjoyed and would have continued even if I had taken up another profession. I think it helps. Like if you are a physician who understands human psychology it makes you a better physician. That’s where a liberal arts education helps.

Tell me about this Fullbright scholarship that brought you to India.

After I completed Yale I received this scholarship to study Kannada rangabhoomi… It’s about how society has been, can be and is presently altered by performance arts. My interest is basically in bayalu nataka. I would go to remote places where week long theatre festivals are held. It was a kind of journey, a search for me. I got to interact and interview a lot of people. I was associated with NSD, Bangalore. I also teach at a village school near Mysore. It’s only when you go outside your natural habitat that you get to learn.

How did your parents manage to keep you rooted to our culture?

It wasn’t easy. It’s a very big commitment. So many parents realise it should have been made into priority when it’s too late. The formative years are the most important. That’s the foresight my parents had. I remember when I was about five years old I felt an unease speaking Kannada. People would mock us. My parents reasoned with me about the importance of our roots. We made it a point to visit India regularly. I learnt to read and write Kannada at home before I learnt English. It’s about priorities. We were not coerced into anything. Now our culture is a passion for us.

Did you need a scholarship to come here?

I would have come here irrespective of that and indulged in my passion that’s theatre.

Were you circumspect or did you grab ‘Aa Dinagalu’?

Well I had offers to act in films. One film I didn’t do has done well. I loved the story of “Aa Dinagalu”. I wanted to do something that brought me a lot of joy. After I had the opportunity to interact with Mr. Sreedhar who’s intellectually inclined, thoughtful and socially conscious, I decided it would be an enriching experience. Chaitanya, our director is an amazing talent with a lot of insight. I did not dream of becoming a hero. I wanted to become a very good actor. You also ended up with people of similar sensibilities.

You’re right. That’s where I got lucky. It wasn’t about making money.

It was about making a standout film. I’m very happy that the Kannada audiences are continuing to watch and have only good things to say about the movie and me.

Did you have any apprehensions about the character?

No. He’s young and impetuous. He swings sides like a pendulum. I have met and can understand the psychology of this boy and his wanting to eliminate Kotwal. As the story goes along he loses perspective because of his immaturity. It happens to most of us at a young age.

What next?

I’m doing a film with Harsha the director of “Gelaya”. I have taken a few months because the character needs preparation. For me it’s the journey that’s giving me the maximum joy.

Where does this leave your theatre aspirations?

I still want to perform. I think theatre will help hone my acting skills. Theatre is more fulfilling but I want to be part of good cinema.

Are you apprehensive about mainstream cinema?

There are many films with plausible storylines and good performances. I enjoyed the film, “Duniya”.