In his multilingual film "Subrahmanyaa," debutant Adhvay Shankar is introduced as a confident young man poised to make a significant impact. Directed by his father, famed actor-director P Ravishankar, Adhvay expresses his gratitude for being able to contribute to the script in certain areas. Emphasizing the importance of a strong storyline, Adhvay highlights the narrative as the central element that drives a film's success. He discusses the differences between acting in theater and film, his collaborative process with his father, and addresses misconceptions about nepotism in the industry. Adhvay reflects on his unique journey in the film industry, debunking the notion that nepotism has paved an easy path for him and underlining his original interest in storytelling and directing.With encouragement from a friend, I decided to try my hand at acting, dance, and stunts. I trained extensively in New York before landing lead roles in prominent stage productions. Despite fully dedicating myself to the craft, I didn't pursue acting until I was 23, and now at 31, after years of sending out portfolios, auditioning, and discussing scripts with no tangible results, I began to doubt if my dream would ever be realized. The initial expectation of easy success in the film industry slowly transformed into a distant hope. Despite my struggles with nepotism, I refused to give up. Approaching my 30th birthday, I set a deadline for myself. If acting opportunities didn't materialize, I planned to pitch my scripts to actors and potentially direct them. A Telugu producer offered me a role in a film directed by my father, albeit after a rigorous audition process. Finally cast in a significant role, I found a sense of accomplishment after years of disappointment. While I had once doubted the possibility of my dream coming true, I am now immensely grateful for this opportunity. Each day on set fills me with joy and gratitude. Reflecting on my father's journey from a dubbing artist to landing lead roles at 42, I realize that my struggles pale in comparison to his. He waited patiently for his break, and I am grateful to have earned mine.His life took a significant turn when he landed a role in Kempe Gowda. The audience embraced him in that character, leading to a busy schedule thereafter. Prior to this, my father was constantly on the move, residing in hotels while the rest of the family lived in Chennai. As his work commitments in Bengaluru increased, the entire family made the move. Reflecting on the past decade, he expresses gratitude towards the people of Karnataka for embracing him as one of their own. Transitioning from stage to screen acting posed a challenge as it required a different approach. Unlike in theater, collaboration with fellow actors and crew members was crucial on a film set. Adjusting to the technical aspects of filming and staying within the frame was initially difficult. Despite the challenges, he appreciates the collaborative aspect of filmmaking, though he fondly reminisces about the freedom of expression theater provides. Working alongside my father had its share of challenges as we both needed time to adapt. While he initially felt the need to guide me due to our familial relationship, I, on the other hand, was constantly critical of my own abilities. This dynamic has evolved over time, and we now trust each other more while also maintaining a friendship beyond our roles as father and son.The individual is an actor who was encouraged by positive feedback to pursue acting, leading them to approach their work diligently. Their script is extensively annotated with personal notes, stickers, and analysis on how to tackle each scene. Despite initially being rigid, they now welcome advice that enhances their character portrayal. They feel their father now trusts them more with their acting responsibilities.
Regarding the relationship between directors and actors, the individual believes that while directors play a crucial role in guiding performances, actors should not be micromanaged. They argue that actors need the freedom to interpret their roles naturally rather than being instructed on every gesture or emotion. They stress the importance of rehearsals to ensure that directed actions come across organically in the final performance.
In discussing the Kannada film industry, the individual expresses optimism about its evolution towards more content-driven films. They highlight the significance of supporting writers and nurturing good storytelling as pivotal to the industry's success. They believe that the industry's future lies in recognizing and promoting quality stories, which will ultimately lead to commercial success.