Actor-director Raj B Shetty has had a busy year with multiple film releases, upcoming projects, and frequent travel for shoots in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kerala. He is excited about this phase of his career, especially after gaining a substantial fan following from Kerala following his film, Turbo, with Mammootty. Raj is currently juggling various Malayalam and Kannada projects, including working with his favorite director Anurag Kashyap. Despite the demanding schedule, Raj is fully invested in his creative work, exploring different roles such as producing, writing, directing, and acting in various ventures. He emphasizes the importance of utilizing every moment for the creative process and remains focused and dedicated to his craft, managing multiple responsibilities efficiently.Three films - Toby, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, and Roopanthara - received critical acclaim but failed to perform well at the box office. The filmmaker acknowledges that he cannot compel audiences to watch his films. He explains, "I am not an idealist. I don't expect viewers to watch everything I create. I am simply striving to learn. When Swathi... was released, I anticipated a similar response. I also predicted that we would receive a better reception on OTT platforms. The same scenario unfolded with Roopanthara. Although it is a remarkable film, audiences may not have the inclination to watch such movies in theaters. Nevertheless, it can still be considered a success as it ran for three weeks in cinemas. When aiming to make a quality film, one must be content with any outcome."
The success of a film grants an actor significant influence. It empowers them to venture into film production, enabling them to showcase the stories they have long wished to tell. Raj B Shetty, who is actively involved in projects within the Malayalam film industry, remarks on the rapid production process in the sector. He attributes his success in Mollywood to his consistent acting approach, while also focusing on portraying characters authentically without compromising his natural self. He acknowledges the swift production cycles prevalent in the Malayalam industry.
The recent wave of successful films from the Malayalam film industry has been a source of astonishment for many. Reflecting on this trend, Raj comments, "My acting approach remains unchanged, which is why Malayalam filmmakers and audiences appreciate and cast me. Nonetheless, I have embraced certain aspects such as the nuanced portrayal of characters without losing authenticity. Furthermore, the production pace in the Malayalam industry is notably rapid." Regarding the pan-India trend, Raj expresses that labeling it as a "trend" severs the notions of success and failure from it, implying that it constantly evolves. He believes in the transient nature of developments and that the real challenge lies in dealing with the repercussions of sudden success as it can sometimes lead to unexpected failures.Everyone's desire to focus on making everything large ultimately led to our failure. Big-budget films are appealing but they require a significant amount of time and resources. It may be more prudent to have major star-driven movies release every two years, with the interim filled by content-driven films that may not feature big stars. These smaller films should have the potential to remain in theaters for 4-5 weeks, bringing in sufficient revenue for both theater owners and filmmakers. Unfortunately, such films are currently lacking due to a lack of initiative in the industry.
Regarding his experience working with Mammootty, the individual shared, "Collaborating with Mammootty has been an invaluable learning experience for me. Our conversations were incredibly insightful, offering me valuable insights into preparing for characters on physical, psychological, and emotional levels. The interactions left me feeling 'inspired,' as true mastery cannot be achieved instantaneously. My time spent with him has only fueled my appetite for diverse and challenging roles as an actor."
