Raj B Shetty doesn't consider himself an idealist and doesn't expect audiences to watch all of his work.
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 year with numerous film releases and upcoming projects, including one with renowned director Anurag Kashyap. He has been constantly traveling between Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kerala for shoots, and has gained a significant fan following in Kerala following his film Turbo with Mammootty. Raj expresses his excitement about this phase of his life, noting that he has never been busier. Despite the hectic schedule, he is fully immersed in his creative endeavors, working on various projects simultaneously. Raj shares that he utilizes every minute of his time for the creative process, whether he is preparing for acting roles, producing a film, writing scripts, or directing a multi-lingual web series. Despite the intense workload, Raj finds joy in his work and remains focused on delivering quality content. He emphasizes the importance of being dedicated to the creative process, regardless of the outcome.Three films - Toby, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, and Roopanthara - received critical acclaim but did not fare well at the box office. The filmmaker acknowledges that he cannot compel audiences to watch a film and expresses his approach as a continuous learning process. When Swathi... was released, he expected a similar response and predicted a better reception on OTT platforms, which was the case with Roopanthara as well. Despite the lack of theatrical viewership, the filmmaker considers their success in other aspects, such as a three-week run in theaters, as a validation of his work ethic. He emphasizes the importance of accepting any outcome when striving to create quality content in the film industry. The filmmaker also reflects on the power that a successful film brings to an actor, enabling them to venture into producing stories close to their heart.

Raj B Shetty, who is involved in multiple projects in the Malayalam film industry, comments on the swift production pace in the industry amidst the recent wave of successful Malayalam films. He attributes his enduring popularity among Malayalam filmmakers and fans to his consistent acting style. While maintaining his core acting principles, Raj has focused on enriching his characters while preserving his innate authenticity. He appreciates the efficiency of the production process in the Malayalam industry and its impact on his growth as an actor.

Discussing the infatuation with pan-India trends in the film industry, Raj observes that labeling something as a trend often divorces it from notions of success or failure. He suggests that continual change is inherent to trends, highlighting potential pitfalls in defining success solely on trends.Everybody had a desire to focus on large-scale projects, which ultimately led to failure. While big-budget films are important, they require significant time and resources. It might be more effective to have major star-led films release every two years, with a focus on smaller, content-driven films in between. These smaller productions should be able to hold their own in theaters for extended periods, benefiting both theater owners and filmmakers. Unfortunately, such films are currently lacking in the industry. One individual shared that working alongside Mammootty was enlightening and helped them grow as an actor. Through their interactions, they gained valuable insights on how to prepare for roles physically, psychologically, and emotionally. Overall, this experience left them feeling inspired and even more eager to take on diverse roles.