Puneeth Rajkumar: Good films must benefit all

The actor talks about his latest, Anjaniputraa, and what guides his work
Puneeth Rajkumar: Good films must benefit all

2017 began on a good note for Puneeth Rajkumar, who gave the industry a blockbuster hit Raajkumara in March. But, this year he also suffered his biggest loss, that of his mother Parvathamma Rajkumar. “I miss her a lot, but life has to go on,” he says.

The actor’s fans have already started celebrating the release of his latest, Anjaniputraa, which hits theatres tomorrow. Huge cutouts grace single-screen theatres across the state.

Puneeth says that this is an action film and therefore the “powerful” title Anjaniputraa. He adds that, along with action, the film also has family drama, comedy and romance, “all the elements that make for good Indian cinema”, he says. 

Moviegoers are bound to expect much from this film, especially since it follows Raajakumara. “As an actor and a filmmaker now, I do not like to carry the weight of these expectations… instead, I simply focus on working in good films,” he says. 

Anjaniputraa produced by KCN Kumar is inspired by Tamil hit Poojai, starring Vishal, and Puneeth insists that the Kannada version has received a different treatment and that director Harsha has given it “a fresh look”. Puneeth says, “We don’t have the habit of taking every scene and replicating it in our narration. Even though we stick to the same note, Anjaniputraa has been made keeping in mind the local sentiments.”

He says that every film is different and every director tries to place their signature style through the treatment of the story and styling. “The director also has to catch the viewer’s interest,” says Puneeth. “Harsha has taken this a step further and has tried to do it differently with his technical expertise. Being a choreographer, he has also brought out the best in songs and fights.”

In general, what draws Puneeth to a film? “I check if the character is convincingly sketched out and also if the producer will benefit from the film, after all the producer has invested in me and the film. So, the success of the film depends on whether everyone benefits from it,” he says.

Puneeth will be sharing screen space with Ramya Krishnan for the first time. “I am a big fan of her talent and this film gave me an opportunity to work with her. I met her for the first time on the sets of this film,” he says.

The actor has now stepped into production as well, and he says that his home banner PRK Productions (Parvathamma Rajkumar Productions) is to continue his mother’s work. “The production house opened with Kavaludari and its second project will go on floors from January ,” he says.

Puneeth, who is back on the small screen after three years, is enjoying being part of the reality show Family Power. “This is a new effort, something very different from Kannadada Kotiyadipatti. It is more about family interaction and I am overwhelmed by the love they share,” he says.

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