
For Dinakar Thoogudeepa, Royal marks his fifth film, but it’s also a pivotal moment in waiting, as he completes 20 years as a director in 2026. Known for hits like Jothe Jotheyalli, Navagraha, Saarathi, and his last Life Jothe Ondu Selfie, Dinakar’s journey has been one with selective choices and careful planning. But he is also known for his deliberate pace. After six years, he’s back with Royal, which is slated to release in theatres this week.
"I’m not good at multitasking; I prefer focusing on one project at a time," says the veteran director. "It took time after Jothe Jotheyalli before Navagraha and Saarathi happened. Bul was supposed to be my next, but I didn't end up directing it, although I took a lot of responsibility in bringing the film to theatres, and Life Jothe Ondu Selfie in 2018. After that, I sat down to work on Puneeth Rajkumar’s script, but that project couldn’t take off for reasons we all know. In 2023, I started with Royal, and now, here I am."
Royal is Raghu Niduvalli's story, with dialogue written by him. "The screenplay and creative team, including Virat, contributed to the initial stages of Royal, but how the film should travel was my call," says Dinakar, whose film also features Sanjana Anand and an ensemble cast, with Charan Raj's music and cinematography by Sanketh.
Despite the slow pace of his career, Dinakar feels there’s no loss of creativity in the industry. He adds, "There’s always a rush to question why we’re slow, but I believe there’s no comparison to our work. Being an actor like Darshan, who’s completed 55 films, is tough. Acting requires immense dedication, and I think direction equally demands that same amount of work and effort. But the life of a technician goes beyond the usual 9-to-6 timings. We work even after pack-up, planning for the next day."
Dinakar’s selective approach to filmmaking is also evident in his choice of stars. He’s one director who’s open to working not only with established stars but also with newcomers. "There’s a star in every newcomer," he says, emphasising that he often thinks of Darshan when considering any new story. "When I was working on Jothe Jotheyalli, I first approached my brother, but he felt the subject wasn’t right for him. It was he who suggested Prem, who eventually took it up. For every story I make, Darshan is always in my mind first. Even in Life Jothe Ondu Selfie, I had Darshan in mind. He has always been a part of my vision. He even saw some glimpses of Royal and told me, ‘You’ve made a film like you would have done it for me'," he explains.
Dinakar speaks highly of Virat, calling him a "future star in the making." He adds, "Virat’s dedication to Royal was impressive. He gave his input and even wrote a few of his dialogues. As a director, my job is to elevate an artist’s image, and I can confidently say that Royal will elevate Virat’s career."
Royal is a big-budget film, Virat’s second film, produced by Jayanna and Boghendra. But there are always comparisons to the hit films, and Dinakar agrees. “In my opinion success can be compared, but not cinema. Every film of mine is of a different genre. That way, I always come up with different presentations."
According to Dinakar, Royal is a complete entertainment package, and there’s a lot of excitement around it. "I did go back to my younger years to promote the film," says Dinakar. "I’m happy with all aspects of the film."
Looking ahead, Dinakar is excited about his future projects. He confirmed plans to launch his nephew, Chandu, and to revive the Thoogudeepa banner. As for working with his brother, actor Darshan, Dinakar adds, "It is sure to take off in 2026, and we are brainstorming a script."