Rajavardan: My film career starts with Bicchugatti

Everything would have gone on track for Rajavardan had he had the right debut. Five years after what was meant to be his first project, FLY, did not take off, the actor has now finally found his feet. He will be playing the solo lead in the historical drama, Bicchugatti: Chapter 1  Dalvayi Dange.

Though he was previously seen in the multi-starrer Noorondu Nennapu, Rajavardan considers this his first outing. “I can now officially call myself a hero. My film career starts with Bicchugatti,” says the actor, who admits that it was a project that he took up out of frustration.

Rajavardan reveals that severe competition led him to select this role, which he is hoping will help establish himself in the industry. “The five years of struggle have been worth it. Not many get to play historical characters in the early stages of their career. I have realised that historical leaders have a mass appeal, and this is a role I will be able to justify with my personality and skills. I consider this a blessing,” says the actor who plays Baramanna Nayaka in Bicchugatti: Chapter 1  Dalvayi Dange.

Being the son of actor Dingri Nagaraj never helped him, feels Rajavardan. “Despite my father having worked in more than 500 films, I had to start from scratch. People still have to figure out that I am Dingri Nagarj’s son. This might not have happened had my father been a star. But he was just a comedian.”

Directed by Hari Santhosh, Bicchugatti: Chapter 1  Dalvayi Dange is based on the book written by BL Venu. “Since we do not have any detailed references about Baramanna Nayaka we depended a lot on the book. Historical films bring alive history and heritage, especially for this generation. We did a lot of research and even got some books from the University Of Mysore. Watching Bicchugatti will be like turning the pages of the book. The 400-page book has been conveyed in the little-over-two-hours film,” says Rajavardan.

The story, set in the 15th century, focuses on the battle between Baramanna Nayaka and Dalavayi Muddanna played by Prabhakar, and how the former goes about ascending the throne. “If we go by the book, one can come out with 10 different films. But the makers have considered just one segment of the book, which throws light on a commoner who becomes a rebel, and his fights to throw Dalavayi Muddanna out of Chitradurga,” says Rajavardan, who has already hinted at a second chapter. “Whether we take it forward all depends on how this film is accepted,” he signs off.