We’ve Tried to Address An Important Issue In Gurudev Hoysala: Dhananjaya

Dhananjaya made his acting debut with Director's Special in 2013. Ten years into the industry, the Kannada actor has played a variety of characters, including villain roles in Bairaagi and Pushpa: The Rise. The actor will next be seen as a police officer in the thriller Gurudev Hoysala, his biggest film yet, which is slated for a March 30 release. 

Gurudev Hoysala also marks the 25th film of Dhananjaya. Speaking about the crux of the film, he says, “Karthik Gowda (of KRG Connects and Hombale Films) approached me with a plot that focused on a particular issue that needs to be addressed in these times. I don’t want to reveal too much about the plot. It is a serious film that talks about an issue and we hope conversations start once the film is released.”

The actor adds that it was Karthik Gowda who suggested Gurudev Hoysala be his 25th film. “In the past, I have played characters that stray from the righteous path and have tried to tell cautionary tales in the process. But now, with this being my 25th film and having been in the industry for 10 years, we have tried to address an issue that we hope reaches the audience.”

Besides being an actor, Dhananjaya is also a producer. His banner Daali Pictures has produced films Badava Rascal and Head Bush, both successful ventures that featured him in the lead role. As someone who has been busy with a steady lineup of films in the past few years, he speaks about why producers should make films frequently. He says, “I am sure each of our goals is different, but the industry cannot survive if everyone keeps making films once every three to four years. I have slowed down now but if we do not make films frequently, then new talents will not emerge. There should be all kinds of films for an industry to survive. Dr Shivarajkumar makes so many films every year. All of those may not be hits but his contribution to the industry is immense and many new directors, writers and technicians emerge from his films. So, at some point, we all have to think a bit more selflessly and contribute to the industry.”