In the series of ‘Amrutha Mathu Manthana’ organized by the Kannada cinema journalists, still photographers and Television colleagues the pride of South India Arjun Sarja was the guest on last Friday at Press Club of Bangalore. Arjun he is in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam son of popular star of Kannada cinema Shakthi Prasad is a bright and confident guy. ‘I am doing as a son what my father was supposed to do’ he says and his confidence level is so high that he is today able to make a cinema in just one crore to 20 crores of rupees. Thanks to ‘Sevakan’ in which he invested every penny.

KANNADA CINEMA BRUCE LEE

Arjun Sarja in the younger days was taken in a car saying his father is calling him. Quiet Arjun Sarja landed at the shooting spot of ‘Kalinga Sarpa’ but he did not found his father. It was S.V.Rajendra Singh Babu who asked him to open his shirt. He followed it and thus the birth of ‘Simhada Mari Sainya’ evolved in the mind of Singh Babu. Arjun Sarja was told that he could take up the film and his father has permitted for it. Arjun nodded to it and came back home and explained the incident with his father Shakthi Prasad. His father was taken aback with such developments taking place without his knowledge. As Arjun had given the nod to act because his father has permitted the things were clear with an advice from Shakthi Prasad. If you can achieve something in this field then you can jump to acting was advice passed in the ears of Arjun Sarja by his father.

KARATE, BOXING, SWIMMING, TYPING, HORSE RIDING AT YOUNG AGE

My father wanted to see me as a police officer. For that purpose all the training was extended to me. I had a wonderful body building in my school days. My intention was to serve the nation joining the military. My father even agreed for it but the signature of the mother is required to submit the application. My mother cried and did not sign on the papers. That has eventually landed me in cinema field. My father gave everything for me and he was very intimate.

GOLDEN ADVICE ONCE AGAIN

By the slip of the tongue after seeing a film of Dr.Rajakumar when I came home told out of affection that ‘Rajakumar act Channigi Maddidha’. My father heard this and called me near and slapped. He said what happens when I am called singularly. Then I understood that respect is very essential and continued to it. For me the house was like an institute. I had seen films went to the sets saw my dad practicing in the house and going to the institute did not arise even though it was essential.

‘POOJA PHALA’ PRATHIPHALA!

At the age of 19 I became hero for ‘Asha’ Kannada film and films came one after the other. One Mr Ramnarayan had seen the film ‘Pooja Phala’ in Kannada of mine and he was looking for me. When I went to Madras with my father he came rushing. I was asked to accept a Tamil film. I did not say no and just consulted my father.

It was ‘Nandri’ first in Tamil. After this I signed eight films in a row and worked for seven shifts a day. Giving two to three hours call sheet. I was pushed and pulled to the acting and it was mechanical. When films of mine flopped I was sitting with no job for eight months. It was a chance for me to do introspection of my career at a young age.

‘SEVAKANA MADO THANDHE’

It was ‘Sevakan’ subject that made me to go ahead with direction, production and acting. From every film I was learning a bit and that had given me confidence to direct. My wife and mother filled confidence and that has groomed me stronger. It was a blood sweat experience for me. I learnt how planning is very important in life. In all corners I understood when there were no buyers for this film. I made own release and it was like hot cake later on. The film was a good hit. I came back to business. ‘Sevakan’ taught me lessons. From one crore to twenty crore budget how a film could be done I got confidence.

It was for this film some driving element when I was exhausted emotionally, physically, mentally and financially carried my work. I stopped the work of fight composition went to flash back in my life. God some unknown courage (it was lord Hanuman I presume) made me to complete the remaining schedule. That fight was appreciated widely. Then came up films like Pratap, Jai Hindi, Yelu Malai, Madarasi and NO LOOK BACK in professional life!

EARNING FRIENDS VIA STRAIGHT FOWARDNESS

I say no wrong thing when I am asked. This straight statements is not liked by 75 percent. 25 percent like it and that percentage is my friends.

IT IS PRANA SANKATA!

When the issue of two states crop up it is Prana Sankata for the artists like me who has base here and established there in Tamil Nadu – the Cauvery or Hogennekkal should be left to the politicians. It should not be shouldered on artists.

‘MUDHALVAN’ IN REAL LIFE

If I am given the mantle of power of this country for one day I would announce free health and education for the citizens. I wonder why politicians cannot do this. The idea and ideology is itself not enough.

NO FOR MULTIPLE LANGUAGE FILMS

I do not agree with the multiple languages and simultaneous shooting. The Tamil and Hindi film I thought as my next venture based on the husband and wife relationship is not possible to give perfection. So I thought it is right to do in Hindi film not only because it has international market but the culture difference is strong. The tastes are different. When you want to give Pukka flavor you have to go for only one language.

SANGOLLI RAYANNA LATER HOYSALA NOW

I have agreed to act in Ramu banner ‘Hoysala’ the script is ready. Sangolli Rayanna is deferred now. Vaayuputra is almost ready and it will be before the Karnataka audience in June this year.

CINEMA CAN CREATE IMPACT

The social impact of films is possible as long as you show good things in it. The youngster working with a politician pouring kerosene and immolating scene in one of the film was carved in such a way it created a big impact. I had seen a hotel owner in a remote place saying because of that scene I changed my life to better.

GOAL IN LIFE

I have not had any goals in my life from the beginning. Actor, production, direction, distribution were all inquisitive.
Only thought I had from the beginning been to remain perfect and sincere! That has in fact given me food. Even if I go to a remote place they offer me food to eat. I am open minded and very angry in nature. Patriotic too! My anger has come down now.

ROOPATARA ROOPASI!

It was the photograph I had seen in Kannada film magazine Roopatara changed my personal life. That was Asharani daughter of veteran actor Rajesh. I invited her to Telugu film and in the later days she became my life partner. I am now with two daughters. Aishwarya is studying in II year BA. She is interested in the business side. The ninth standard Anjana is still young to decide on what to become in life. If they are interested in cinema profession I have no objection.

I AM HANUMA BHAKTHA!

I am an admirer of Lord Anjaneya. The sitting posture of lord Anjaneya of 23 feet 17 feet width that weigh 160 tons is ready at the hands of sculptor Ashok Gudigere. It is traveling to Chennai to be placed at my farm house where one acre of land is kept for Hanuman temple. Almost the same time ‘Vaayuputra’ my nephew Chiranjeevi debut Kannada film will be released in Karnataka.

Manohar. R.(Manu),
chitrataramanu@gmail.com
Photo Journalist
M: 9845549026
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