Raj B Shetty: Realistic About Audience Expectations, Not an Idealist.
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 been very busy this year, juggling multiple film projects and traveling between Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kerala for shoots. He is particularly excited about collaborating with his favorite director, Anurag Kashyap, and has gained a strong fan base in Kerala after his recent film "Turbo" with Mammootty. Raj acknowledges the hectic nature of his schedule, expressing that he feels like he's in a constant whirlwind of activity. Despite the busyness, he is fully immersed in the creative process, working on various projects simultaneously. His diverse workload includes producing a film, writing and directing projects in multiple languages, and acting in several films. Raj ensures that he maximizes his time by multitasking and staying focused on his craft. Despite the demanding pace, Raj remains dedicated to delivering quality work and is open to whatever outcomes may arise.Three films - Toby, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, and Roopanthara - received critical acclaim but did not do well at the box office. The filmmaker acknowledges that he cannot force audiences to watch his films. He explains that he is not an idealist and doesn't expect viewers to watch everything he makes. He sees himself as a learner and anticipated the mixed response his films would receive. While he expected a better reception on streaming platforms, the films still managed to run for three weeks in theaters. Despite the audience's reluctance to watch such films in cinemas, he considers them successful and emphasizes the importance of accepting any outcome when striving to create good films.

For an actor, a film's success can provide significant opportunities, such as the ability to produce their own projects and tell the stories they are passionate about. Raj B Shetty discusses the rapid production process in the Malayalam film industry and shares his perspective on the recent success of Malayalam films. He notes that despite the industry's evolution, his approach to acting remains unchanged, which has resonated with Malayalam filmmakers and audiences. He mentions working on embodying characters authentically while retaining his natural style. Raj also comments on the pan-India trend in filmmaking, highlighting the transient nature of trends and the challenges they present in achieving lasting success.Everyone was focused on creating big projects, which ultimately led to failure. While it’s important to have big-budget films, they require a lot of time to produce. It would be beneficial to have major star-driven films release every two years, allowing room for smaller, content-driven films in between. These smaller films should have the potential to run in theaters for several weeks, generating profits for both theater owners and filmmakers. However, the lack of such films is attributed to the industry's current approach.

Regarding working with Mammootty, the individual expressed how the experience taught them a great deal. Conversations with Mammootty provided valuable insights, particularly in terms of character preparation both physically and mentally. The individual feels inspired and eager to pursue diverse roles, recognizing that continuous learning and growth are essential in the acting profession.