For years, Nithyaprakash Bantwal was happiest behind a camera. As a still photographer, he found his creative space capturing moments rather than performing in front of the lens. Acting, he says, was never part of the plan.
That changed with Picture (Pichchar), directed by first-time filmmaker Sandeep Bedra and produced by Shilpa Ganesh under the Golden Movies banner. The bilingual film, releasing in Tulu and Kannada this week, pairs Nithya with Amrutha Sudu. The supporting cast includes Devdas Kapikad, Naveen D Padil, Aravind Bolar, Bhojaraj Vamanjoor, Sai Krishna, Vajradhir Jain, Sadashiva Amin, Prasanna Shetty Bailur and Sandeep Shetty Mani. Sam Aby has composed the music, while Santosh Rai Pathaje is the cinematographer.
Ahead of the release on August 7, Nithyaprakash speaks to CE about becoming an actor, carrying the responsibility of a debut film, and why he believes stories from the coast can travel beyond language.
Excerpts:
Did you ever imagine becoming an actor?
Not really. Photography has always been my passion. It's an art form I genuinely enjoy, and acting was never something I planned. Even now, I don't think of this as leaving photography behind. I'll continue taking photographs and creating content. One day, I'd also like to direct films. That's something I've wanted for a long time.
Has Picture changed the way you look at filmmaking?
Completely. I realised acting is only one part of making a film. Once you're the lead actor, your work doesn't stop when the shoot is over. Promotions, interviews, meeting audiences and talking about the film become equally important. People rarely see that side. I've actually lost nearly six kilos while promoting the film. It's good for my health, but it also made me understand the pressure that comes with releasing a film.
Did you feel a greater sense of responsibility because this is your debut?
Absolutely. Golden Movies has placed a lot of faith in this project. When a producer trusts you, you want to do everything you can for the film. I didn't want my responsibility to end with acting. I wanted to be involved in promoting it and reaching audiences as well.
Why was it important to release Picture in both Tulu and Kannada?
I always say Tulu is my mother and Kannada is my father. That's the easiest way to explain it. The story belongs to the coastal region, but emotions don't belong to one language. Releasing it in Kannada helps us reach more people without changing the soul of the film. We've seen many stories from coastal Karnataka connect with audiences across the state. I think families will relate to the characters because they'll recognise people they know.
How did this opportunity come your way?
Executive producer Mohan Bhatkal and I had discussed working together earlier. Through him, I met producer Shilpa Ganesh, who wanted to produce a Tulu film under the Golden Movies banner. Being associated with such a banner naturally came with added responsibility.
Part of the film was shot in Kashmir. Was that unusual for a Tulu production?
Very much. Even shooting in Kashmir is a big achievement for a Tulu film. Our industry usually works within certain limitations, so this was a big step. Although the cast is largely from the coastal belt, making the film in two languages allowed us to think on a larger scale.
What was it like working with experienced artistes for your first film?
It was the best learning experience I could have asked for. Every scene taught me something. Watching senior actors perform up close helped me improve every day.
Director Sandeep Bedra also made things easy for everyone. Even though this is his first film as a director, he has worked as an associate director on nearly 20 films and has written stories for several others. That experience showed throughout the shoot.
You make a special mention about producer Shilpa Ganesh's involvement...
She deserves the appreciation. She wasn't just producing the film. She was present during the shoot, involved in planning and always available whenever the team needed support. Producers are the reason films get made, and I have a lot of respect for that.
Music has already become one of the talking points of the film...
Samuel Aby has composed four songs, and each has its own place in the story. Gokulada Radhe is especially like icing on the cake because it also marks Shilpa Ganesh's debut as a playback singer. Along with Jaskaran's voice, it turned out beautifully. It's one of my favourite songs in the film.
Do you think Tulu cinema can reach audiences beyond Karnataka?
Definitely. Kantara showed that a story rooted in local culture can connect with people everywhere. Audiences respond to honest emotions before they think about language. We're releasing Pichchar across Karnataka in Tulu and Kannada, and I hope it reaches many more places.
Finally, what does Pichchar mean to you?
It's my first film, and I couldn't have asked for a better beginning. I'm working with a good production house, experienced co-actors and a team that believed in me from day one. Whatever happens next, photography will always remain part of my life. That's where I started, and I'll always stay connected to it.