There is a visible excitement in Vinay Gowda’s voice when he speaks about Balaramana Dinagalu. The actor, who became a household name through Har Har Mahadeva and further expanded his popularity with Bigg Boss Kannada, is now stepping into one of the most significant roles of his film career. In KM Chaitanya-Vinod Prabhakar’s underworld drama, releasing on June 26, Vinay plays the antagonist Katthi, and the role has already generated considerable curiosity.
The excitement is understandable. Director Chaitanya singled out Vinay as one of his best discoveries while speaking about the film. For an actor still waiting for his big breakthrough on the silver screen, such praise is encouraging. “When a director like Chaitanya sir says something like that, it is definitely a compliment. At the same time, it also brings responsibility. You feel the need to live up to that trust,” Vinay says.
Interestingly, the role found its way to him through an unexpected route. The character had reportedly been discussed with several actors before finally landing with Vinay. What caught the attention of the makers was not an audition tape or a screen test, but a viral video. “After Bigg Boss, I visited Chamundi Hills. A video from that visit went viral. Somebody had written, ‘Even his walking style has a fan base now.’ Producer Shreyas and director Chaitanya sir happened to see that clip. They were looking for a certain attitude and body language for this character. They contacted me and asked if I would be interested. I immediately said yes,” he recalls, adding, “I also told them that the walk wasn’t something I was doing for the camera. That’s genuinely how I walk.”
Despite his popularity, Vinay’s journey in cinema has not been straightforward. Opportunities have come slowly, and recognition on the big screen has taken longer than many expected. Yet, unlike several actors who dream of becoming heroes, Vinay is perfectly comfortable standing on the opposite side. "In fact, I love being the negative lead,” he says without hesitation, and his reasoning is refreshingly practical. “A villain gives you freedom. He can be serious, funny, dangerous, unpredictable, or even a psychopath. There are so many shades to explore. A hero always has certain boundaries. He has to remain good, and most of the story is about his struggles. But a villain enjoys life throughout the film until the day he falls. So yes, I enjoy playing villains.”
That mindset makes Balaramana Dinagalu an ideal fit. The film is rooted in Bengaluru’s underworld of the 1980s, where anti-heroes and antagonists occupy equally important spaces. Though this is only his fourth film, with projects such as Darshan’s The Devil, Kona, and the upcoming Jack Anthony, among others, in his filmography, Vinay insists that Srirampura Katthi remains his favourite character so far. Part of that attachment comes from the learning experience of working alongside Vinod Prabhakar and director Chaitanya. “I learnt a lot from both of them. I strongly believe that the day an artiste says he knows everything, that is the end. Ego doesn’t work in this profession. There is always something new to learn,” says Vinay, pointing out that every aspect of his performance was clearly discussed. “Every expression, every smile, every look, and every behavioural detail was discussed. Chaitanya sir would explain scenes so clearly that the entire sequence would start running inside your head. Matching that pulse was exciting.”
Vinay, who was not deeply familiar with the real underworld culture of that period, decided to build his character through observation. “I did a lot of research. I have friends who own a factory in Srirampura, so I spent time there. I would sit in local bakeries and observe the boys in the area. I watched their body language, how they sat, how they spoke, and the slang they used. Those observations helped me immensely on set,” says the actor, who is also glad that all the effort paid off. "That preparation surprised the director as well. I kept observing him, asking questions, and trying to understand why certain choices were being made. Slowly, I found the rhythm of the character.”
Another memorable moment came when music director Santhosh Narayanan appreciated his performance. “When someone of his stature notices your work, it means a lot. He watched the rushes of the film, appreciated the character, and advised me to continue choosing strong roles while maintaining my individuality. That encouragement was very special.”
Away from the screen, Vinay admits that he is often misunderstood. “Many people think I have an attitude or ego. The truth is, I am simply a reflection of how people behave with me. If somebody is warm, I am warm. I am usually the first person to smile. But if I don’t get the same response, I move away. Some people mistake that for ego,” says Vinay, and believes that things are changing, and people are beginning to understand him better.
The film also features his friend and fellow Bigg Boss contestant Rajath, who appears in a cameo. “He has a few interesting scenes in the film. Audiences will enjoy watching him, too,” says Vinay.
As the conversation comes to an end, there is one final question. With increasing recognition and a strong screen presence, would he consider becoming a hero someday? “I know what people like from me. No, I don’t want to enter that hero jungle. I want to continue as an antagonist. I want to take these kinds of roles across multiple languages,” signs off Vinay, who hopes Katthi is the perfect beginning to that journey.
