Virat: With Royal, I'm not just back—I’m here to stay

The actor talks about his sophomore film, working with director Dinakar Thoogudeepa, shares his passion for acting, and why he has no Plan B for his career
Virat: With Royal, I'm not just back—I’m here to stay
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Five years have passed since Kiss released, and now actor Virat returns to the silver screen with Dinakar Thoogudeepa’s Royal. It’s been a long wait, but he assures that his passion for acting remains strong. “Once a film is out, I might take a month’s break, but my drive to get back to my next project never fades,” Virat confesses. “The gap wasn’t my choice, though. It just happened. I did work on a couple of projects post-Kiss, but unfortunately, they didn’t take off. Then Jayanna called, supported me, and Dinakar extended his hand to direct me.”

For the audience, Virat is the actor they see on screen, but for him, acting is just the beginning. “I don’t have a Plan B. This has always been my dream. Even when I left my home, I knew I had only one path to follow. Despite the breakdowns, the hits, the flops, my resolve never changed. I want to stay here. It’s a tough journey, especially with the competition today, but I’m not giving up.”

Virat speaks candidly about the challenges of being an actor in today’s world. "There’s no easy way in any career," he says, his voice steady with conviction.

As for Royal, Virat says it’s a commercial entertainer, but as an actor, he doesn't want to focus solely on mass appeal. “I’m not looking for fame for the sake of it,” he adds. “I want to connect with as many people as I can. Leaving home to be part of this world, I’ve learned a lot about life. I know that if we don’t put in the best work, from start to finish, the film will fail the audience. A winning team means everything. When producers like Jayanna and Bhogendra invest their money in me, and when a director like Dinakar invests his creativity and time, I have to prove them right. This is my second film, and I need to deliver. Only then can I dream of the next project.”

From his debut, Virat showcased his skills, excelling in action and dancing, but how has he evolved over the years? “As an actor and as a person, I always strive to stay updated,” he says. “There’s a big difference between my first film, Kiss, and my acting in Royal. With AP Arjun guiding me in my debut, and now Dinakar for Royal, and the upcoming film with director Suri, I’ve learned so much, with more to go.”

He explains his approach to acting with humility: “I approach every project with a blank slate. Whatever inputs I’m given, I try my best to fit into them. I’ve learned from my theatre days that you must travel with the story, with the people, and surrender to the process. It’s essential to surround yourself with the right team, and at the same time, be a student."

Working with Dinakar was a new experience for Virat, and he learned a lot from him. “Handling punch dialogues, not going overboard with expressions—it was a different kind of challenge,” he recalls. “Dinakar is passionate and perfect in his craft. When I look at the monitor and see his smile after a shot, I know it’s come out well. I’ve bombarded him with so many questions, but he’s always been patient and ready to teach.”

Virat is confident about Royal, and while signing off, he says, “With Royal, I’m not just back—I’m here to stay." He adds, “This film is a commercial package, and the audience will love it. But beyond that, the film will connect on a deeper level. With every project, I try to grow, to evolve, and to give my best. That’s all I can do.”

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