Dhananjaya, affectionately known as Daali thanks to his role as a manic character in the 2018 blockbuster “Tagaru,” is marking 11 years in the Kannada cinema industry. As he anticipates the release of his upcoming movie “Kotee,” directed by Param, Dhananjaya took the time to speak with “The Hindu” about his journey—a journey filled with initial struggles, eventual stardom, and his foray into film production.
The combination of the general elections and the Indian Premier League (IPL) has recently posed significant challenges to the film industry. Dhananjaya was asked whether he believes “Kotee” will still manage to draw audiences now that both events are over. “The IPL indeed keeps people occupied, and that impacts movies. The tournament is a popular entertainment option,” Dhananjaya said. He mentioned that the event’s online betting system kept cinema-goers away from theatres. “We have struggled to draw people to theatres in the last six months. I feel films like ‘Shakhahaari’ and ‘Blink’ should have received more love than they did when they were in cinemas. People are now talking more about them after they came online. There is still no one concrete solution to the problem of empty theatres. Good movies succeed more often than not, and we hope the same for ‘Kotee.'”
When posed with a question about the nature of “Kotee,” which from the trailer seems to be a thriller involving a common man, and whether the film balances thriller elements with social drama, Dhananjaya responded thoughtfully. “Kotee is not a regular thriller. I won’t reveal much about the movie. All I can assure you is that it is a good and relatable film about a middle-class man. The film will keep you engrossed. It has a fresh story, and you won’t be able to compare it with any other movie. I loved Parameshwar Gundkal’s writing. When I was reading the script, it felt like I was reading a small novel,” Dhananjaya said.
Balancing his popularity among fans with his desire to experiment, Dhananjaya shared his thoughts on his career aspirations as a young star. “I am enjoying my versatility. There was an expectation from my fans to play a character like Daali from ‘Tagaru’ in every film. I am trying to break that image with each film. It is easy to follow the ‘masala’ film formula, but I am trying to be different. When I read the script of ‘Rathnan Prapancha,’ I knew those who loved my short film, ‘Jayanagar 4th Block,’ would like this movie.
. They are a set of people who love to watch family dramas. On the first day of the shoot for ‘Rathnan Prapancha,’ my fans were shocked to see me in formal attire riding a Splendor bike. They felt this image makeover wasn’t ideal for my career. As an actor, you can cater to the same audience or impress a wide range of people. I chose the latter path.”
Despite recent hits like “Rathnan Prapancha” and “Badava Rascal,” Dhananjaya faced challenges with the less successful “Twenty One Hours,” “Bairagee,” “Monsoon Raaga,” and “Once Upon A Time In Jamaligudda.” When asked if these films broke the momentum of his career, Dhananjaya recounted his experience. “During the pandemic, when the film industry got shut, I was one of the few actors working. After the first wave of the pandemic, till April 2022, I worked nonstop, day and night. The money I received by playing a villain in one film (‘Bairagee’) or a supporting character (‘Twenty One Hours’) in another helped me make ‘Badava Rascal’ and ‘Head Bush’ as a producer, and both the films turned out to be hits. The success of the two films increased my market, and the producers are confident in investing in me. Also, all the films you mentioned made small profits and kept the industry running. I did 4-5 back-to-back movies because I was in a situation where I had to make money and invest in projects I believed in.”
Reflecting on his contribution to Kannada cinema, Dhananjaya discussed how his films often spotlight the middle-class. “Be it ‘Badava Rascal,’ ‘Rathnan Prapancha,’ or ‘Kotee,’ they all tell the story of the middle class. A common man who loves his family is the hero in such films. Great actors such as Dr. Rajkumar and Anant Nag had championed this genre during their prime. ‘Tagaru Palya,’ which attempts to portray a humorous drama revolving around a ritual in a village, showcased the culture seen in and around the Mandya district. Another such example is ‘Orchestra Mysuru.’ The culture of orchestra is dead in India. We have moved on to music reality shows. But, the movie showed the lives of orchestra singers in Mysuru who struggle to make a living out of their dying profession. ‘Uttarakaanda,’ my upcoming big-budget movie, will be shot entirely in North Karnataka, and the characters speak Kannada in the local dialect.”
Dhananjaya continues to contribute meaningfully to Indian cinema, particularly Kannada cinema, as both an actor and a producer, telling stories that resonate with the everyday lives and challenges of the middle class. The release of “Kotee” is eagerly awaited by both his fans and the industry alike.
