"I am realistic; I don't anticipate viewers to watch all my work: Raj B Shetty"
Actor-director Raj B Shetty has had an eventful year. With a packed schedule of film releases, upcoming projects — including one with his favourite director, Anurag Kashyap, and constant shuttling b...
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Actor-director Raj B Shetty has had a busy and exciting year, filled with film releases, upcoming projects, and travels between Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kerala for shoots. He is particularly enthusiastic about his collaboration with director Anurag Kashyap and the growing fanbase he has acquired in Kerala following his recent film, Turbo, starring Mammootty. Raj acknowledges that he has never been busier with work and describes his current state as akin to being in a war zone due to the constant movement. Despite the hectic schedule, he expresses his dedication to utilizing every minute for the creative process. Raj is involved in various projects including producing a film with a debutant director, writing and directing films in multiple languages, and acting in several movies. He emphasizes the importance of preparation in his approach to acting roles, allowing him to engage in other creative pursuits during breaks. Raj believes that to create a good film, one must be open to any outcome, and he remains focused on maximizing his time for creative endeavors.Three films, Toby, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, and Roopanthara, were highly praised by critics but did not do well at the box office. The filmmaker acknowledges that he cannot force audiences to watch his films, stating that he is not an idealist and does not expect everyone to watch his work. He views himself as a learner and anticipated a similar response for Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye and Roopanthara. Despite their limited theatrical success, he recognized the potential for a better response on OTT platforms. He emphasizes the importance of being content with any outcome when striving to create quality films.

Success in a film can empower an actor, granting them the ability to produce their own projects and share the stories they are passionate about. Raj B Shetty, reflecting on the rapid pace of production in the Malayalam film industry, notes the recent wave of successful films from the region. While his approach to acting remains consistent, he acknowledges evolving as a performer and focusing on portraying characters authentically while retaining his natural essence.

Regarding the pan-India trend in filmmaking, Raj highlights the transient nature of trends and the lack of definitive success or failure associated with them. He suggests that labeling something as a trend can lead to uncertainty and that success can sometimes conceal underlying failures.Everyone was focused on creating big projects, leading to our failure. While it is important to have big films, they require a lot of time and resources. Instead of only releasing big star-driven films every two years, there should be a focus on producing content-driven films that can sustain in theaters for 4-5 weeks, benefiting both theater owners and filmmakers. Unfortunately, such films are lacking in the industry right now. A notable actor shared that working with Mammootty has been a significant learning experience, inspiring him to strive for more challenging roles.