Actor-director Raj B Shetty has had a busy year filled with film releases and upcoming projects, including one with director Anurag Kashyap. He has been moving between Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kerala for shoots and has gained a substantial following in Kerala following his film "Turbo" with Mammootty. Raj is excited about this phase of his life and is working on multiple projects simultaneously. He mentions feeling like he is in a constant state of busyness, comparing it to a war zone.
Despite the hectic schedule, Raj is utilizing every minute for the creative process. He is involved in various aspects of filmmaking, including producing, writing, directing, and acting in multiple projects across different languages. Raj emphasizes the importance of preparation for his acting roles, allowing him to focus on other tasks during breaks on set. He remains dedicated to his craft and views every moment as an opportunity for creativity.
When asked about the impact of his busy schedule on his creative process, Raj remains unfazed, stating that the key to making a good film is being prepared for any outcome. He values the effort and dedication required to bring his projects to life, showcasing his passion for storytelling and filmmaking.Three films - Toby, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, and Roopanthara - received critical acclaim but failed to succeed at the box office. The filmmaker acknowledges that he cannot compel audiences to watch his films. He humbly expresses that he doesn't expect viewers to appreciate everything he creates, but rather sees himself as a continual learner. Anticipating a similar response to his film Swathi..., he was aware that the films might find greater success on platforms like OTT. This prediction held true for Roopanthara as well. Despite these films being of high quality, he understands that not all audiences may be inclined to watch such content in theaters; nevertheless, he considers their run in cinemas as a form of success. He emphasizes that when striving to create quality content, one must be prepared for any outcome.
For an actor, the success of a film can be empowering as it can lead to opportunities to venture into film production. When producing a film, one gains the ability to bring forth stories that have long been yearned to be shared. Raj B Shetty reflects on the swift production process in the Malayalam film industry, discussing the recent wave of successful films from the region. He notes that despite his unchanged acting approach, he has adopted new strategies to deepen his character portrayal while maintaining his natural essence on screen. Raj shares his thoughts on the current obsession with pan-Indian films, observing that labelling it as a 'trend' removes the notion of success or failure and suggests that constant change is inevitable. He points out that what may seem like success could turn out to be the biggest failure, highlighting the complex nature of the evolving film industry landscape.Everyone aimed for grandeur, leading to failure in our endeavors. While it is tempting to focus on big-budget films, they are time-consuming. Instead, we should consider creating movies featuring top stars only once every two years, with the interim filled by content-driven films devoid of star power. These films should be able to sustain a successful run in theaters for 4-5 weeks, ensuring profits for both theater owners and filmmakers. Unfortunately, such films are lacking due to the lack of initiative in the industry. Reflecting on his experience collaborating with Mammootty, the actor shared, "Working with Mammootty has been incredibly insightful. Our exchanges have fueled my passion for diverse roles, teaching me valuable lessons on physical, psychological, and emotional character preparation. My interactions with him have left me inspired to pursue challenging roles and continue evolving as an actor."