I’m thrilled to be directed by my dad, says Vikram

An image shared by Vikram Ravichandran featuring his father, V Ravichandran, garnered widespread appreciation recently. The picture depicted the duo sporting the trinetra (holy ash). “It was meant to be a subtle hint about what’s coming next — my father will soon be directing me,” Vikram reveals. He admits that this time, things will be different. Since my debut, I’ve done a lot of introspection. I realised that I was waiting for the audience to come watch me, rather than creating a reason for them to want to. I want to change that,” he says

‘Nepotism doesn’t exist in the Kannada film industry’ Vikram says star kids don’t get multiple chances unlike popular opinion. “Unless you prove that you can generate revenue, no producer will come forward to back you. So whether you’re a star kid or not, it doesn’t matter. Look around and you will know what I’m talking about. Which is why I say, nepotism doesn’t exist in the Kannada film industry

‘I DON’T WANT TO BE JUST A NAME THAT TRENDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA’ “Unless you have the X factor, it doesn’t matter if you come from a film family. After my first film, I had a two-minute conversation with my father that completely changed my perspective. He revolutionized filmmaking, and as his son, it is my responsibility to carry that legacy forward. If I don’t learn from the mistakes I made in my debut, I won’t grow as an actor or live up to the name my father has built for himself,” he explains. With Mudhol, his second film, Vikram is determined to hone his skills and prove his worth. “I know for sure that I will hustle until I make it. I don’t want to be just another name that trends on social media or streaming platforms. When my father directs me in the film we have planned, I want to be worthy of his attention as an actor,” he states.

‘ACTORS MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAILURES, TOO’ Vikram is clear about the importance of accountability in the film industry. “As actors, we must be just as responsible for failures as we are for a film’s success. I was appreciated as an actor in my debut Trivikrama, but the film didn’t do well. There were days when I wondered if it had anything to do with my dusky skin tone. But then my father told me, ‘If you understand the pulse of the audience, none of this will matter.’ Since then, I’ve only been working hard to prove myself,” he shares. He also believes that actors should be more involved in filmmaking. “As actors, we must take responsibility when a film fails, just as we celebrate when it succeeds,” he says. Looking ahead, Vikram aspires to take on challenging roles. “I would love to do a film like Garuda Gamana. An actor must be able to pull off all kinds of roles — you can’t aim to be just a star,” he says.