It might seem that actor Dhananjay has emerged as a mature man after his one- year stint with boxing for his upcoming film Boxer. In a territory where two men fight it out through tactics, Dhananjay has come to realise that inside the ring, it is performance that matters and feelings take a backseat. And with the film releasing this week, he is realising the punch of both aspects - feeling and performance.
“Films based on boxing truly pack a punch, which I experienced while I shot for this film. To portray the sport requires one to get into the skin of the character, both mentally and physically. I had to dedicate one year for the film, including my training for six months in boxing and later to maintain the physique demanded by the role, which was taxing. With all that effort, I am waiting to see my performance and the feeling is quite intense,” says the actor who remembers one of Rajkumar’s old film, Thayige Thaka Maga and remembers late actor Shankar Nag, who was known as Karate King.
The film blends boxing with love and has Dhananjay in the role of a local street boxer. “Through the film, Preetham Gubbi brings in local flavour with the story taking place in our very own city, Bengaluru. What was more interesting was that I got to know the popularity of boxing in the city when I shot with real fighters. I also realised that there is a craze for boxing, which is not noticed as it mostly happens indoors,” he says and adds, “I also happened to meet Swedish fighter Ron, a boxer who has worked with Jackie Chan in Thai and Korean films. I was initially reluctant to face him, but he helped me a lot. He even told me that he had the same feeling when he first met Jackie Chan. After the fight sequence, he offered to train me for a month.”
In an attempt to create his own space in Sandalwood, Dhananjay says he is trying his best to bring in new elements to get the attention of audience. “I am in the process of getting established in the industry and it is only through my efforts that I will be able to impress my audience, which I think I am trying out with each film. Thankfully, I had a good director with whom I was comfortable to work with, which was very necessary,” he says.
According to the actor, who usually prefers films based on human values, Boxer revolves around Raja a boxer who lives in his own world and a meeting with a blind girl, changes his life. “The film revolves around both of us, which is good in a way because I personally feel that if one can carry the entire film on one’s shoulders, then one can prove successful in future,” he points out.
The highlight of Boxer, according to Dhananjay, is the fight sequences. “The climax is amazing. I got excited when I watched it during dubbing. Although, heroes in Preetham Gubbi’s films are usually talkative, but my character is an introvert. On the whole, I can confidently state that it is a feel good film,” he says.