I play what's needed, it's not who I am: Dhruva Sarja

For Kannada actor Dhruva Sarja, KD: The Devil marks more than just another release — it is a film that challenges both audience expectations and his own on-screen image. Known for his high-energy, mass roles, the actor says this time, viewers will see a completely different side of him.

‘An intense title, but a soft character’

“Though the title of the film sounds very intense, I play the character of an innocent man,” Dhruva says, addressing the contrast head-on. “Kedi or KD in colloquial Kannada means a wicked person or someone who is street smart, but in the film, KD is short for Kali Dasa, the name of my character, an innocent worker at a Garadi Mane, who only wants to care for his family.”

‘A story rooted in family and emotion’

Calling the film an emotional drama with a distinct cinematic texture, shaped by director Prem, Dhruva says it goes beyond spectacle. “It's an emotional drama that gives a very cult feeling because of Prem sir’s touch. It's a complete package that speaks about family values. The film talks a lot about valuing one’s parents and siblings,” he informs.

For the actor, the film also stirred deeply personal memories. “As I was filming the song Annthamma Jodettu, it made me so emotional as I started missing Chiru a lot,” he shares, referring to his late brother and actor Chiranjeevi Sarja. The emotional weight of the narrative, he says, stayed with him well beyond the shoot.

‘Learning from a powerhouse cast’

KD: The Devil also stands out for its ensemble cast, bringing together industry heavyweights like Sanjay Dutt, Sudeep, Shilpa Shetty, Ravichandran and Ramesh Aravind. For Dhruva, the experience was as much about observation as it was about performance. “We learn and unlearn a lot with each film. But there was a lot more learning for me in this film because of the huge star cast. I got to watch and learn from senior actors… I am only five movies old, and getting to do my sixth film with such a huge star cast was my good fortune,” he says.



‘A long journey to the big screen’

The film’s prolonged timeline has been a talking point among fans, and Dhruva is candid about the effort behind it. “People keep asking me why it has taken so long for the film to hit the screens. A lot of work went behind this film,” he explains.

Juggling multiple projects came with its own challenges. “I was doing my previous film, Martin, simultaneously. I had to lose weight and gain it again and go back and forth. My workout routine and diet kept changing through the last three years. We also started shooting KD only a year after its muhurtha, so we took time to make the film.”

‘Breaking away from typecasting’

Dhruva also addresses the criticism he has faced in the past regarding his portrayal of women in films like Pogaru. “I realise I have been typecast in roles where I treat female characters the wrong way,” he says, “But I play a character a certain way because the script demands it.”

He points out that performance choices are often rooted in narrative requirements rather than personal beliefs. “In Pogaru, the scenes that became a huge topic of discussion were done because the character demanded it. Some traits were inspired by Ted Bundy, an American serial killer. I cannot be myself when the character demands the traits of a criminal.”

He adds that he ensured comfort and consent on set. “I even checked with my co-star Rashmika Mandanna if she was OK doing such sequences, and she was,” he reveals.

In contrast, KD: The Devil, he assures, will be a complete departure. “In KD, my character is the exact opposite — a very silent and innocent man, whereas my co-star Reeshma Nanaiah plays a loud and bold woman. I don’t play characters because I connect with them personally; I play them because that is what the script demands.”

‘A collage of everything my fans love’

Dhruva promises the film will be a familiar yet refreshed experience. “If I were to tell my fans why they should watch this film, it is a collage of all my films they have appreciated,” he says.

“From the love stories in Addhuri and Bahaddur, to the mass dialogues in Pogaru, and the action in Martin, this has the flavour of all my previous films.” He also hints at a first for his filmography. “This is the first time I’ve touched macchu (machette) in my films. Macchu, in Kannada cinema, especially in Prem sir’s films, has a history and a separate fan base, and I'm sure it will be enjoyed by Kannada film lovers.”
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