Su From So has redefined the way the industry sees me, says Shaneel Gautham

It’s interesting how life has changed for Shaneel Gautham, aka Ravi Anna, since the release of Su From So. “In fact, I’m on my way to the airport to pick up a filmmaker who has flown in from Bengaluru to Mangaluru to narrate a script to me. All this feels new —producers calling from Bengaluru, a director travelling down just to meet me, and people approaching me with lead roles. It’s a lot to wrap my head around,” shares Shaneel, who is still basking in the success of being part of a film that has entered the `100-crore club.

‘Now, strangers greet me from across the street as Ravi Anna’
Back home in Mangaluru, where Shaneel was born and raised, he is now affectionately called by his screen name. “Even strangers greet me from across the street as Ravi Anna,” he laughs. Though he had earlier earned praise for his roles in Ondu Motteya Kathe, Sarakari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale, and Kantara, the recognition from Su From So has been on a different scale. “I think what endeared Ravi Anna to audiences was his vulnerability and warmth,” he says.

'I am now getting offers to play the lead; this was not the case earlier'
Shaneel adds, “We all have a Ravi Anna in our lives, and people found that connection. The beauty of JP’s story is that he’s not set it in an outlandish backdrop; he’s made it relatable for everyone.”

‘Glad I took that leap of faith in 2013 to quit my bank manager job’
“Today, when I see all the love the film is receiving, I’m glad I took that leap of faith in 2013 to quit my job as a bank manager. If I hadn’t, I’d still be stuck doing something I didn’t love. Over the years, I have worked on several films with like-minded people, but Su From So has redefined the way the industry sees me. Now I’m getting offers to play the lead, which wasn’t the case earlier. But I won’t take them just because they’re coming my way. I’m constantly in touch with Raj, who helps me decide which projects to choose,” he shares.

‘We didn’t expect Su From So to fare so well’
“When we shot the film, we had a crazy time together, and the best fun was while filming the Danks Anthem song. In fact, Baava Bandaro wasn’t even part of the movie during the shoot—it was added much later after the final edit. Today, the song has gone viral, and it’s heartening to watch families grooving to it on reels. In fact, Su From So has been full of surprises. We never expected it to get the reception it has today. During the premieres, I even remarked to a friend that I was getting the same vibe as Kantara — that this film was going to go beyond our imagination. And we are so grateful for it. None of us, whether it’s me or the team, will ever take this success for granted. We will be the humble artistes who have come from a theatre background in Mangaluru,” he adds.