Is emotional about the Kannada film releasing in theatres today
Why veteran actor Prakash Raj Photo, Madurai photographer SR Sai Sanjay Prasath bags a prize at the Mela Moments contest, by the Union Ministry of Culture and Lalit Kala Akademi
rakash Raj, known for his outspoken views, had an emotional moment last month. The seasoned actor could not control his tears after watching the Kannada film Photo, directed by debutant Utsav Gonwar. Now, the actor is presenting the film, releasing in theatres today.
Photo revolves around a young boy who dreams of clicking a photo of himself in front of the Vidhana Soudha, but the pandemic derails his plans. The film depicts the migrant exodus during the COVID19 outbreak. “When some wounds of the society resurface, it disturbs you a lot,” says Prakash Raj. Excerpts from a conversation:
PQuestion:
What made you emotional about Photo?
I am an emotional person. The Colour Purple by Steven Spielberg made me cry, but I teared up for Photo for a different reason. Charlie Chaplin says, “Life is a comedy in a long shot and tragedy in the closeup.” Photo is that sort of a film. During the pandemic, when I saw hundreds of people walking to their homes barefoot on the highways, I cried and didn’t know what to do. All I could do was cook food for 500 people. Now, we have swept everything under the carpet and behave like everything is fine.
But there are certain wounds in civilisation that you should never forget. I told myself I would not sit and regret that I could not make a film like this. So I decided to stand by the
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movie and help it get a theatrical release.
Q:
The film’s talking point is that it questions the system. Do you agree?
We had our homes to stay safe in the pandemic, but what about construction workers and other migrants? They were on the streets, and the roads were blocked. It’s not just about the Government’s failure. It’s about we not being sensitive about what’s happening around us.
A: Q:
Do you feel sad that those who loved your work do not admire you as an actor anymore because of your political views?
I don’t get disappointed. I
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want to be known for what I am rather than being someone who plays to the gallery. People can disagree with my opinions, but they should know what I stand for. I have chosen to live life the way I want to, and it’s worth it.
Q:
What’s your opinion about social media? You are very active on ◣...
I don’t do
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advertisements, so my account is quite genuine. When people comment on my views, I am happy they follow me despite not liking me. It means I am disturbing them and making them think. For those who yell at me, I want to tell them that we are fellow human beings and that we must have a conversation.
Q:
You are a panIndian actor because of your expertise in different languages. How did you achieve this?
Every language has its own rhythm, metaphors, and beauty. When somebody says, “Your sins will ripen and fall one day,” the person must be coming from a riverside, and has seen trees. A person from the desert will not use that kind of a metaphor. So, I continue to read literature and meet people from different places. Though I have my own language, I need to
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hen S,R Sai Sanjay Prasath quit his corporate job in Qatar to return to his hometown Madurai after the pandemic in 2021, little did he know that his experiments with photography would fetch him a national award.
From 11,000 shortlisted entries to the Mela Moments photography contest organised by the Union Ministry of Culture and the Lalit Kala Akademi, Delhi, two of Sanjay’s photographs were awarded the third prize and displayed as part of a larger exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi this past fortnight.
The prize winning photos selected under the theme, The
Wspeak the language of the people the film is made for. Only then will they accept me as their own. There is joy in this process.
Surrendering myself to my roles gives me a window to see new cultures. I know there is hard work involved in learning a language, but it is worth it. I am not known for my handsomeness or beauty. I am known for the way I depict the characters, and I am happy about it.
Q:
You have proven your versatility onscreen multiple times. However, why do we mostly see you only as an antagonist nowadays?
People relate to intense roles. I am popular as an antagonist. Some call me a ‘villain actor’, and I laugh at it. It’s their way of branding me. However, I have also done films like Iruvar, Kanchivaram, Abhiyum Naanum, and Ok Kanmani. balance both sides of my image as an actor. People on social media say I am a villain in reel and real life. Some say I am a villain on screen and a hero in real life. You don’t let these comments affect you. They are all just opinions.
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IThird Element, are from the annual Dasara Festival held at Kulasekarapattinam. It shows a man dressed as goddess Kali in the red glow of a flame against the backdrop of the blue sky. “The third element is about complementary colours, the moment and the composition,”
SR Sai Sanjay Prasath’s (above) prize-winning photos from the festival. says Sanjay who took the photograph during one of his many trips last year.
The local Dasara festival is associated with a folklore about residents invoking a goddess to save themselves from a demon. Men dress like the goddess at this festival. Sanjay says he went to document it for his personal collection.
His other prize winning photo was taken in front of the temple where another man dressed as the goddess was standing next to him.
“There were 300 photographers around to capture the captivating moments that day. I usually step away and patiently allow others to click first. It helps me to work on my perspective with a totally different angle,” says Sanjay. In a crowd it is a challenge to get the right angle and proper lighting, he adds.
Sanjay took many photos of the event with his Sony A 73 camera and on a friend’s suggestion sent five for the competition in January this year.
Colours of India
The Mela Moment contest, aimed at highlighting the country’s vibrant cultural heritage under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, attracted 300,000 participants from all over the country. Three prizes were given under five different themes and 60 best photographs were showcased at the NGMA exhibition, which concluded on March 14.
“It was my happiest moment,” says Sanjay, who, invested in an expensive camera to explore the landscape in and around Madurai. He says he started off as a wedding photographer after returning to India; but the bright colours of travel and culture turned out to be his calling.
Last year, the 34yearold went across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and returned with some gorgeous frames of Theyyam, Pulikali and the Dasara. They have now inspired him to focus on faith and religious festivities. “It is going to be my new project of passion,” he says.