Gurunandan says smiles go a long way

Gurunandan does not come from a movie background but he certainly is good at keeping his filmography on track.

Gurunandan does not come from a movie background but he certainly is good at keeping his filmography on track. He made his mark with 1st Rank Raju and, with one look at the series of films he is part of, we can see how the actor is mapping his career his own way. That said, he also makes space for popular trends.

He says that ups and down in his career led him to do better. “I have observed industry trends and what audiences like and realised that I have to appeal to families, women and children. That’s why I stick to such subjects,” says Gurunandan.

While the actor knew how to establish himself in Sandalwood, he says that he is an ardent follower of Bollywood actor Aamir Khan. “If you see the kind of movies he has done, you can see how he has tried to do something different with each one,” he says. “Similarly, I try to pick subject that does not seem like my previous films.”

The actor believes in doing roles that suit him. “Whether it was 1st Rank Raju or Smile Please or my other upcoming movies, I choose characters that suit my body language. With my personality, I do not think anyone will be convinced or enjoy seeing me jump off  a 10-feet building. I am sure to look like a  buffoon if I chase 10 SUVs. My strength lies in making people laugh and doing roles that touch their hearts.”

His upcoming release, Smile Please, is a family entertainer that promises to keep the audience smiling and leave them with that warm, fuzzy feeling. “We all lead mechanical lives, waking up, getting to work, returning home and falling back to sleep and the routine continues. It is not our mistake, we lead busy lives and have little time to smile,” he says.

“Back in Chikkamagaluru, I have a huge family.  It is known as Mandi Mane and at every family functions we used to see around 150 people. Somewhere we have lost that tradition of getting together and we run behind material  things. Then there is the daily grind that keeps us from enjoying smaller joys. Smile Please, by debutant Raghu Samarth, explores this subject.”

Gurunandan says that he was smiling throughout the making of the movie and was “even happier” after watching it with the technicians.

With 1st Rank Raju doing well, the actor says that his second movie is equally important. “This is a competitive world and it is more important to keep the success going, than being successful,” he says.

A newcomer, he says that he wants to work with people who encourage fresh talent. “I don’t ignore even a stick,” he says. “We never know the importance of every single thing. That was the case with 1st Rank Raju director. The same is with Smile Please and other upcoming films.”

Guruanandan believes in the power of a good promotion. This, he says makes movies run and ensures that he sets aside atleast 25 days for it before and after the film’s release. 

 “I don’t wait for the director or the producer to call me and come over. Crores of rupees have been invested in the film and we are the face,” he says. “It is our duty to tell people about our films and I am doing the rounds with a smile.”

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