With Vinay Rajkumar (son of Raghavendra Rajkumar), the third generation of the Rajkumar family is getting ready to join tinsel town. At the muharat of his film Siddhartha, the young upcoming talent got the first dose of fame and said, “Initially I felt like it was a muharath of my chikkappa’s (Puneeth Rajkumar) film. Only later it sank in and felt good!”
Having grown up in a famous family, it is but obvious where Vinay’s affinity for cinema comes from. “I always wanted to be an actor,” says the newbie, adding, “I have grown up on the sets and with stars at home. I used to enjoy seeing my grandfather facing the camera, my doddappa (Shivarajkumar) and my chikkappa’s movies. I liked the set buzz. I was lucky to have had the opportunity to work as a child artiste in films like Odahuttidavaru, Akasmika, Hrudaya Hrudaya, Anuragada Alegalu, Navibbaru Namagibbaru.”
A B.Com graduate, Vinay admits that he was tempted to get into acting while he was in his final year. He says, “Inspiration did not come to me while watching a particular film. There was no pressure at home that I should be an actor. It was my decision. It was the people and friends around me who kept enocuraging me by saying I could be a hero. That’s when I developed the confidence. And, when I expressed my wish to my father, he didn’t have any objection, but said I should justify myself as an actor and told me to put in sincere efforts to do well.”
Coming from the Rajkumar family, he feels the heat, but Vinay is glad that he is starting his journey with director Milana Prakash. “He is a part of our family and has done quite a few films for our home banner. I feel comfortable working with Prakash. My friend Jeevan is also acting in the film and my cousin Lakshman is assisting the director. I have my own people in the unit. With all of them with me, I am sure to be comfortable,” he says.
“People feel that my nose is like my grandfather’s!” he laughs, adding, “I got only one advice from him when he was alive. I was very fat before and so he always told me that I should exercise and maintain my body, which I am sincerely following now. In fact, I heard that my grandfather liked being part of plays. So I also took up theatre activities.”
He is confident about his acting abilities and also with his dancing and stunt skills. Lessons in cinema came to him while watching a lot of films. “I liked Lucia and the making of Ulidavaru Kandante. I have watched most of dodappa’s and grandfather’s films. If given an opportunity, I would like to redo Puneeth’s film Jackie,” he says.