Rishab Shetty: I switched off as a director, and concentrated only on acting for Bell Bottom

Growing up, Rishab Shetty used to watch Rajkumar’s films. It was then that his desire to be a hero was sown. He also used to admire posters of Upendra, and that further fuelled his wish to become a hero someday. The now established actor-director remembers those days vividly. "I remember around the time I was in class 10, Uppi was a superstar. He was all over and that was one of the reasons I came to the city," he says about how, to make his dream come true, he left his village and came to Bengaluru.

Rishab, who rose to fame with his directorials — Ricky, Kirik Party and Sa.Hi. Pra Shaale: Koduge Ramanna Rai — was happy doing small roles. But now, finally, his desire of turning full-fledged hero has come true with Jayatheertha’s Bell Bottom.

"As an actor or director, I never go with too many expectations or too much excitement. I just challenge myself to give a good film to the audience. Bell Bottom has created a buzz with just the trailers and posters. Now, it’s time for the full picture," he says.

A proven director, he however chose to be just an actor on the sets of Bell Bottom. "I switched off as a director, and concentrated only on acting. Any doubts I had, I cleared them during the reading. I didn’t want any clash of ideologies. Moreover, Jayatheertha is a senior director who has a certain vision for his project," explains Rishab, who plays Detective Diwakar, a constable.

A complete entertainer that keeps you smiling through the film, Bell Bottom will have a nostalgic feel to it thanks to its 80s backdrop, says Rishab. "The reading habit is barely existent today. Bell Bottom will give audiences the experience of reading a humorous thriller novel."

Few know that once upon a time, Rishab was a sportsperson, who was into wrestling and judo, and even played at the National level. He could have joined the police through the sports quota, but destiny had other plans. "However, I’m still like a detective - always curious to know what’s brewing," he says with a chuckle.

Amongst the three roles of director, producer and actor, Rishab says that he’s more inclined towards direction. "I wanted to become an actor in my 20s, but I’m getting a chance to play a hero only in my 30s. During this time, I have learnt the nuances of direction, and it has become my first love. That said, when I think I need a break from direction, I'd like to get in front of the camera, provided I get fresh subjects," says Rishab.

The actor-filmmaker will be playing the lead in the upcoming anthology, Katha Sangama, and will also feature as a full-fledged actor in Vinu Balanja’s Nathuram. "Now, I’ll just have to wait and watch to know what kind of roles I will be offered after Bell Bottom."