I am my own inspiration: Chikkanna

Chikkanna is a keen and enthusiast learner, we find out, during our recent interview when the actor insisted that he would speak only in English. “I love to learn new languages, and want to be able to communicate better,” he chuckles.

As a comedian, his popularity has been growing with every film he has taken up. And each time, he surprises not just the audience but also the filmmakers. This time, the actor who has ventured into production with Raambo 2, has turned rap singer as well. “It’s a one-and-half minute song Belebelege dumapana nadu rathri madhyapana, composed by Arjun Janya. To be honest, I love singing. In fact, I was humming this tune on the sets and that caught the attention of Tharun Sudhir, who made me lend my voice to the rap song,” he says.

Chikkanna says that though he entered the industry as a comedian, he has been exploring other skills. “There are cut-outs of me at theatres…which I think is a big deal. Now, I’m a singer and  a producer too,” he says.

The comedian stresses the importance of sharing a good rapport with the lead actor (in this case Sharan), which he believes shows onscreen. “Sharan is like my brother and I honestly feel that it’s our chemistry that brings out the best in us. I know his style and he knows mine, and both of us know each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” says Chikkanna, adding, “Even though Sharan is the lead actor, he has no ego and that helps any actor sharing screen space with him. Basically, he is good at heart.”

His future, Chikkanna says, isn’t planned out by him. “I don’t know about my future--whether I’ll be going beyond comedy or not---and have never planned anything for tomorrow. God must have been crazy when he created me with his intention to make me an actor and make people laugh. My motive is to be versatile. And I think I have been able to achieve that to some extent,” he says.

So, who is his inspiration? “If I consider somebody as an inspiration, I have to be like them and not me. I want to be me. So I am my own inspiration,” he signs off.