Shivarajkumar on his 34 years in cinema: 'I wish to be the same guy who acted in Anand'

Shivarajkumar, who completes 34 years in the film industry on February 19, is currently excited to start his 123rd project, RDX
Shivarajkumar
Shivarajkumar

Shivarajkumar completes 34 years as a film actor tomorrow. He first faced the camera on February 19, 1986, for his debut film, Anand. Fondly known as, the Hatrick hero, the actor still has the same kind of excitement about his 123rd project, RDX. The film, made under the Sathya Jyothi Films banner, is directed by Ravi Arasu. It will be launched tomorrow. “It is a promising project and I am glad to be working with a good team. I hope that I go through the same kind of experience that I had when I did Anand,” he says.

Shivarajkumar says he hs not tried to analyse the changes he has gone through over the years. “However, I always wish to be the same Shivarajkumar who started out with Anand. With these years of experience, I am looking to do more quality films and ones that are more message-oriented,” says the Century Star.

Recalling his first day of shoot for Anand, Shivanna says he was not scared but anxious as he was surrounded by a huge crowd. “Will I be able to do it? How will I look on the screen? Those were my thoughts at that time. The first dialogue ‘Nan hesaru Anand’ (My name is Anand) was delivered by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, and it started on a positive note. I was a little emotional when everybody clapped and was excited when I overheard somebody telling me that I looked handsome. It was a memorable day and experience,” he shares.

In the last three decades, he has seen the industry go through various stages and changes. Shivanna has mixed feelings when he looks at the medium today. “Technically, we have come far from where we started, and we have raised the bar high. But somehow, I don’t see the freedom that we had during those times. Today, there are some restrictions in the workplace but it is for the betterment of our industry. At that time, everything looked new to me. Now, the same things would come across as cliches for the cine-goners of today. So, everything should be handled cleverly today,” he says.

“But individually, I remain the same person, there is no change in my behaviour except that I have a caravan, which I enter only once during the break,” says the actor who, though known as the Hatrick hero, Century Star, and Karunada Chakravarthy, tells us he loves it when people call him ‘Shivanna’.

Shivarajkumar is currently filming for Bharjarangi 2, which is in the last phase of shooting. Coming up next is RDX. He has also confirmed a project with his cousin, Lakshman (Lakki Gopal). “The film was earlier titled SRK but it will be changed,” reveals Shivanna, who has also given a green signal to cinematographer-director Vijay Milton’s project. His 125th film will be Bhairathi Ranagal with director Narthan.

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