Raj B Shetty: I am a realist who doesn't anticipate audiences to watch all of my 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 multiple film releases, upcoming projects with noted directors, and constant travel for shoots. He expresses excitement about this phase of his life and has gained a significant fan following from Kerala after his film "Turbo" with Mammootty. Raj mentions feeling busier than ever before and compares it to being in a war zone due to his packed schedule. Despite the workload, he is fully immersed in his creative endeavors and is utilizing every minute effectively. He is juggling various roles such as producing, writing, directing films in multiple languages, and acting in different projects. Raj shares that he manages to stay focused on his creative process by preparing for his roles in advance and utilizing any downtime effectively, whether it's giving input to his music producer, writing, or just focusing on the task at hand. He emphasizes the importance of dedicating time and energy to the creative process in order to produce quality work.Three films -- Toby, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, and Roopanthara -- received critical acclaim but did not fare well at the box office. The actor acknowledges that he cannot compel audiences to watch a film and expresses a pragmatic perspective, stating that he is focused on learning and growing as an artist. Despite predicting a lukewarm reception for Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye and Roopanthara in theaters, he anticipated a more positive response on OTT platforms. Although Roopanthara was well-received, he recognizes that certain films may not align with audience preferences for theatrical viewing. Nonetheless, he emphasizes the importance of embracing any outcome when striving to create quality cinema. For an actor, the success of a film can provide them with the opportunity to delve into producing projects that align with their creative vision. Raj B Shetty, who is currently involved in multiple projects in the Malayalam film industry, offers insights into the industry's fast-paced production process and his evolving approach to acting. He maintains that staying true to his acting ethos has resonated with Malayalam filmmakers and audiences, enabling him to secure diverse roles. As the industry continues to focus on pan-India appeal, Raj notes the ever-changing landscape of trends and the ambiguity of defining success and failure within such frameworks.Everyone strived for grandeur in their projects, leading to our failure. We should focus on producing big-budget films, but this can be time-consuming. We can schedule the release of films starring big actors once every two years. In the meantime, we should also focus on creating films that are driven by strong content rather than relying solely on star power. These films should have the potential to remain in theaters for 4-5 weeks, generating sufficient revenue for both theater owners and filmmakers. Unfortunately, such films are currently lacking in the industry due to a lack of initiative.

Reflecting on the experience of working with Mammootty, the actor shared that it was a valuable learning experience. Conversing with Mammootty provided insightful answers and inspired him to delve deeper into his acting craft. He gained valuable insights on how to prepare for a role physically, psychologically, and mentally. The actor expressed that he was more "inspired" than simply learning specific techniques in a short time frame. His interactions with Mammootty fueled his passion for taking on challenging roles in the future.