Still have a hangover from playing villain in Taguru: Dhananjay

The actor talks about his transformation from hero to playing the antagonist in the Shivrajkumar-starrer
Still have a hangover from playing villain in Taguru: Dhananjay

Dhananjay has taken the industry by surprise. The actor who has always played the hero has agreed to do a villain’s role in Suri’s Tagaru. “It’s a new beginning,” the actor tells CE, about playing the antagonist.

He reveals an interesting story behind his acceptance of this project. “I was working out with Suri at a gym when we had this conversation about playing the baddie.  Both of us were on treadmills and we were having a general chat about this and that, when he asked me if I would accept a negative character in his film. He said that I would be cast opposite Shivanna. Without a second thought, I said yes. From then on, Suri started preparing me for the character Daali,” he says.

Suri and Shivanna (Shivarajkumar) were largely responsible for Dhananjay accepting this role. “I had been waiting to work with Suri for a long time and now I feel proud to have got the opportunity. Also, I am from a small town, and it was always my one big wish to work with a star like Shivanna, which was only possible with Tagaru,” says Dhananjay. He believes that every actor craves to play a negative character.

As Daali, Dhananjay is not your regular villain. “There is depth to the character and there is a background on how Daali became a baddie. I had been briefed by Suri about this, before I went on the sets,” he says.

Every human has another, lesser-known side according to Dhananjay. “I have had a few bad experiences and this has made me an aggressive actor. The character Daali took all that anger and agitation out of me. Initially, it was difficult getting into this character. I underwent a transformation to get a handle on it. I still have a hangover from this, and notice a few changes in me as a person”.

The actor feels satisfied hearing people address him as Daali. “This was an intense role for me. I would not have been able to bring out the actor in me, otherwise,” he says.

How confident is Dhananjay about the audience accepting him in a role like this? “People should hate me for being Daali. They should not like me. Instead, they should fear me. Only then have I done justice to that role.”

After Daali, his next role is in Darshan-starrer Yajamana. “This is another interesting role and it gives me another opportunity to work with Darshan. I will be able to talk more about it once I join the sets of this film on February 27,” says Dhananjay, who signs off with: “I hope to work with Suri again, and hope this feeling is mutual.”

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