Actor-director Raj B Shetty has had a busy and exciting year, filled with film releases, upcoming projects, and frequent travels between Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kerala for shoots. He is particularly enthusiastic about working with his favorite director, Anurag Kashyap, and has garnered a significant fan base in Kerala following his film Turbo with Mammootty. Raj is currently juggling multiple projects in Malayalam and Kannada, expressing that he has never been busier. Despite his hectic schedule, he remains dedicated to the creative process, utilizing every spare minute for writing, acting, producing, and directing various films and web series. Raj emphasizes the importance of staying focused and dedicated, even during intense acting scenes, and values making the most of his time for creativity. He believes that to create excellent work, one must be prepared for any outcome and fully commit to the filmmaking process.Three films - Toby, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, and Roopanthara - received critical acclaim but had disappointing box office performances. The filmmaker acknowledges that he cannot compel audiences to watch his films, stating that he is not an idealist and does not expect viewers to embrace all his work. Despite lower theatrical turnout, he notes that Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye and Roopanthara found success on OTT platforms. He emphasizes the importance of being open to any outcome when striving to create quality cinema.

The success of a film grants an actor considerable influence, enabling them to venture into film production and bring their envisioned stories to life. Raj B Shetty, reflecting on the rapid production pace in the Malayalam film industry amid its recent string of hits, shares his perspective. He affirms his consistent approach to acting while adapting to his roles with authenticity. He appreciates the industry's efficient production processes and emphasizes the fluid nature of trends in the film landscape, cautioning against linking trends to fixed notions of success or failure.Everyone's desire to focus on big projects led to our failure. While creating big films is important, it is time-consuming. Big star-driven movies should release once every two years, allowing for less high-profile, content-driven films to fill the gaps. These smaller films should have lasting power in theaters for 4-5 weeks, generating sufficient revenue for both theater owners and filmmakers. Unfortunately, these types of films are rare because no one is taking the initiative.

Working alongside Mammootty has been a valuable learning experience for me. The insight and guidance I received from him as an actor were truly inspiring. I gained a deeper understanding of how to physically, psychologically, and mentally prepare for a character. While I believe "inspired" is a more fitting term than "learned", as true mastery takes time, my interactions with him have fueled my thirst for more challenging roles.