Prajwal Devaraj isn’t angry. He says he is disappointed. And that difference defines the controversy surrounding his upcoming film Karavali, which is set for release on July 24. “I could have just dubbed for the trailer, but they didn’t want me,” he says.
For the actor, this was never just about money or ego. It was about respect, he says. "After investing more than two-and-a-half years into the film, turning down other projects, even shaving my head to achieve the character’s bald look, being left out of the trailer’s dubbing has hurt me," he says.
“I even asked my manager before the trailer launch to check if they needed me to dub. We could always sit and sort out the financial issues later. I would have dubbed it if they had simply asked. But nobody called. They didn’t even send me the trailer. I received it only at midnight, and obviously, I was hurt that my voice wasn’t there.”
The financial dispute, he insists, is real. “Remuneration is the problem,” says Prajwal. “Last year alone, I left one-and-a-half crores in the market because I wanted to support producers. Today, I’m in financial trouble. I wish I was in a position where I could help others comfortably, but I can’t. So many promises were made last year, but nothing materialised.”
Speaking specifically about the Karavali producers, he adds, “I’ll have to check with my CA because there are GST calculations involved too. But they’ve clearly said they won’t pay the balance amount.”
Yet, despite the disagreement, Prajwal maintains that the issue could have been handled professionally. “In over 40 films, I’ve never troubled anyone. Why would I start now? There were still portions of the film left to dub. We could have settled everything after the trailer launch. But if they didn’t want my voice in the trailer, then why expect me to attend the event?”
There’s no bitterness when the conversation shifts to Raj B Shetty. Asked if the acclaimed actor’s presence overshadowed him, Prajwal dismisses the suggestion instantly. “Of course not. Raj is a wonderful actor. I’ve worked with multiple heroes before in Chowka. Your work should speak for itself. He plays my father in the flashback portions, and I’m genuinely happy he’s part of the film.”
His message to the producers remains straightforward. “If they honour their commitment, I’ll honour mine. I’m not asking for anything extra, only what they had already agreed to pay me. My family is suffering because of this. I’ve sacrificed enough, believing that being nice would be enough. It doesn’t work that way. All I expect is for people to keep their word.”
For an actor who knows this could be a defining film in his career, the emotional weight is evident. His fans have waited years to see him return in a big way. “All I can say to my fans is, I’m sorry." Will he still promote Karavali? “Yes,” he says without hesitation. “It’s my film too. I’ll promote it in every way I personally can. I hate all this noise. I’m a quiet person. This film is important not just to me, but to everyone who has worked on it.”
