Samarjit Lankesh, the son of director Indrajit Lankesh and the grandson of writer-filmmaker P Lankesh, is making his debut in Kannada cinema with the film Gowri. Also featuring Saanya Iyer in her Kannada debut, the movie is set to be released on August 15. In a recent interview with Bangalore Times, Samarjit talks about his passion for cinema, the obstacles he encountered as a newcomer, and his experience collaborating with his father.
Reflecting on his inspiration to pursue a career in the film industry, Samarjit shares, "The allure of the big screen fascinated me from a young age. Watching movies of icons like Appu sir (Puneeth Rajkumar) and Sudeep sir ignited my interest in acting. Delving into various aspects of filmmaking, I honed my skills at the New York Film Academy, immersing myself in camera techniques, acting training, and short film creation with a supportive group of friends. This experience instilled in me the confidence to step into the Kannada film domain. Having engaged in theater, apprenticed under director Yogaraj Bhat, trained in stunts with Chethan Dsouza, and learned dance from Murali master for a substantial period, all these endeavors enriched my performance in Gowri."
An established child artiste, transitioning into a leading role brought a heightened sense of responsibility for Samarjit. This newfound responsibility fostered greater dedication, allowing him to approach his work with utmost sincerity. He believes that the forthcoming film is an excellent platform to demonstrate his versatility as an actor.
Portraying the central character in Gowri presented its own set of challenges for Samarjit. "Exploring the nuanced layers of the protagonist required time and effort as I delved into the Mandya Kannada dialect. I studied the performances in movies of Ambareesh and Darshan to capture the authentic accent, a crucial element in the film. Additionally, mastering dance routines and stunt sequences was integral to my portrayal."
Samarjit expresses his desire to make the film "Gowri" a perfect platform to demonstrate his acting skills. Reflecting on the challenges he faced transitioning from a child actor to a lead role, he acknowledges the added responsibility and the need for heightened diligence and sincerity. Despite being friends with his father in real life, on the set of "Gowri," Indrajit Lankesh was the director while Samarjit approached his role strictly as an actor, maintaining a professional dynamic. He emphasizes the importance of delivering what the film requires through dedication and passion.
