Turning actor was far from Lakshman Gopal's thoughts, but destiny had different plans. Popularly known as Lucky Gopal in the Kannada film industry, his aspiration was to become a director, and Gopal even announced his first directorial venture starring Shivarajkumar. However, fate has conspired to make him face the camera as an actor first. 

Gopal, yet another talent to come from the Rajkumar clan, is the grandson of the legendary actor's sister. He is set to be launched as a hero in actor-filmmaker Duniya Vijay’s second directorial. An official announcement of Lucky Gopal coming on board this romantic film was made by the team on the occasion of Vijayadashami today.

Gopal says the acting assignment has come as a surprise to him, and the development is yet to fully sink in.

“My aim was never to become an actor, but director Duniya Vijay saw the artiste in me and decided to bring me in front of the camera,” says Gopal, narrating how he became part of the project. “The Salaga team mostly consists of technicians who worked in director Suri’s Doddmane Hudga and Tagaru, in which I had worked as an associate director. Since I was familiar with them, I used to visit the Salaga sets, and that's when Duniya Vijay spotted me. After few rounds of interaction, it was a unanimous choice by the team, including producer KP Srikanth, dialogue writer Masti, and co-director Abhi, to cast me in the project.”

Gopal adds, “Vijay, who knew about my directorial commitment for Shivanna’s project, made sure to take the latter’s consent before signing me up for his film. Even Shivanna himself advised me that it is a good opportunity and that I should not miss it. It’s such encouragement that pushed me to test the waters as an actor.” 

Vijay has come up with a raw love story, which is currently being worked on. Lucky Gopal will be undergoing an intense workshop before the project goes on floors in December.