Comic roles no longer resonate with me: Mithra

After over a hundred comedic roles, Kannada actor Mithra says he is looking to redefine himself. The actor shares, “I've been typecast as a comedian due to my skin colour and physique. While I was happy to entertain audiences, I have always wanted to break free from this stereotype. Plus, in today's cinema, lead actors often have to incorporate comedic elements, reducing opportunities for dedicated comedians.”
To explore my acting range, I have decided to take on a different and diverse set of roles that move away from comedy,” says the actor who has signed roles in Karavali, Ella Kunni, Max and Vijay Kumar’s upcoming project. Excerpts:

‘I have aged out of comic roles’
My role of Mahabala in Karavali is a buffalo owner, and in Ella Kunni, my role has some grey shades. At this stage of my career, artistic satisfaction is now more important than commercial success. I've reached a point where comic roles no longer resonate with me; I need roles that resonate with my soul.

‘New-age scripts are offering more balanced roles’
Earlier, films revolved entirely around the glorification of heroes, but that's changing. It's a positive shift for the industry and actors like me. The rise of content-driven cinema and OTT platforms has opened up numerous opportunities. Now, it's up to audiences to support creative filmmaking by choosing to watch movies in theatres.

‘Television needs stricter censorship’Mithra, who has worked on several reality shows, says, ‘Many shows, especially comedies rely heavily on double entendres, which can send harmful messages to society. Even television serials lack strong moral values, despite being watched by viewers of all ages. I believe some form of regulation is necessary in this space.