Kannada film industry needs more top heroes: Rajvardhan

The path to portraying a new character often leads actors down unexpected avenues. For Rajvardhan, preparing for his role in his upcoming film Jawa involved an olfactory journey into unfamiliar territory. In the film, directed by journalist-turned-filmmaker Chakravarthy Chandrachud, Rajvardhan plays a professional perfumer whose extraordinary sense of smell draws him into a dark world of crime.

He shares, “I’ve always used luxury perfumes, but during research for this film, I explored Shivajinagar’s perfume shops. These locally made scents, crafted from natural ingredients, are unlike anything else. The shops have an old-world charm, with crystal bottles lining the shelves and a mix of musk and sandalwood in the air. It’s an experience that stays with you.”

Rajvardhan believes, “People are tired of films that follow the tried-and-tested route. Filmmakers worry about A certificates if there is blood, gore, and adult content, but ironically, those are the films hitting 100 crores. With OTT content pushing boundaries, audiences are more open to exploring diverse content.”

Reflecting on the current state of the film industry, the actor, who is the son of veteran Kannada actor Dingri Nagraj, says, “My father’s been in the industry for over four decades. We often talk about how every star in the industry was known for a particular genre, and also had backing from multiple production houses. Today, there are only a handful of top heroes, and the next rung of actors is missing."
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