Raj B Shetty: I am not an idealist who expects audiences to watch everything I do
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 a full schedule of film releases and upcoming projects. He is working on a project with his favorite director, Anurag Kashyap, and is constantly traveling between Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kerala for shoots. Raj has gained a large fan base in Kerala following his recent film, Turbo, with Mammootty. He now has two more Malayalam films in the pipeline. Despite feeling like he's in a war zone due to his packed schedule, Raj is enthusiastic about this phase of his life. He shares, "I have never been this busy with work before." Raj is involved in various projects, including producing a film, writing and directing films in multiple languages, and acting in several movies. Despite the hectic schedule, he is enjoying every minute of work and remains focused on the creative process. Raj believes in being fully committed to the filmmaking process, regardless of the outcome. He utilizes his time efficiently, preparing for his roles in advance and using any free moment to work on other aspects of his projects. Raj emphasizes the importance of dedicating every minute to the creative process for producing quality results in his work.Several films by Raj B Shetty, including Toby, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, and Roopanthara, received critical acclaim but did not fare well at the box office. Raj acknowledges that he cannot compel audiences to watch his films, stating that he does not expect everyone to appreciate his work. While he had anticipated a similar response to Swathi... upon its release, he believed that Roopanthara would be better received on streaming platforms. Despite audiences' reluctance to watch such films in theaters, Roopanthara saw success by running for three weeks in theaters. Raj emphasizes the importance of being content with any outcome when striving to create quality films.

In his view, a film's success provides an actor with influential opportunities, such as producing films and sharing stories close to their heart. Raj notes the rapid production pace in the Malayalam film industry and reflects on how it has impacted his approach to acting. He aims to maintain his authenticity while delving deeper into character portrayals to engage audiences beyond surface appearances. Regarding the trend of pan-India filmmaking, Raj believes that labeling it as a trend removes notions of success and failure, as trends are constantly evolving. He warns against viewing success as the ultimate goal, as significant achievements can sometimes lead to unexpected setbacks.The desire for grandeur caused our downfall; while making big films is necessary, it is time-consuming. Instead of focusing solely on big star-studded projects that release every few years, there is a need for content-driven films that can have a longer run in theaters. These movies should provide a source of revenue for both cinema owners and filmmakers. Currently, such films are scarce due to a lack of initiative. Reflecting on his experience working with Mammootty, the actor acknowledges that it has been a valuable learning opportunity. The insights gained during their interactions have fueled his passion for diverse roles, emphasizing the importance of thorough character preparation on physical, psychological, and emotional levels.