Kishore is currently exploring different roles. His hands are full with projects and he is preparing himself to become a different character for each new film.
“To start with, I completed the dialogues of Vasco-da-Gama, which is a full-fledged comedy but deals with the serious issue of the present education system. The film is directed by Madhuchandra who did Cyber Yugadol Nava Yuva. This is my first attempt at comedy. Then there was Thunddakilla Sahavasa by M B Giriraj. Though this one was also a comedy, my role in it was quite serious. I followed it with Bheeshma, which is a typical commercial film, which I mainly did to be in the limelight. Although time will tell whether I was right or not in choosing this film, I felt that a commercial project comes in handy and is a good addition to any actor’s repertoire. I also did not have any other projects in hand at that point.”
Speaking about his current bilingual in Tamil and Kannada called Octopus, Kishore says, “The film directed by P Annaiah is a crime thriller blended with a social issue. In it, I play a doctor who is also a scientist who explores how the medical system has turned into a business.”
According to Kishore, it is necessary to make a few films with a universal subject in different languages. “If a producer, is sensible, he tries to choose a subject that can be told to as many people as possible. From the director’s point of view, it is easy to convince the producer. At the same time, in order to convince the audience, he needs to be convinced about the subject himself. I think Octopus is a film with certain universal issues that can be told in different languages to reach everyone.”
On being asked about his idea of cinema, he is quick to respond.
“For me, films are not only for entertainment or a money making machine. I believe that the language of cinema is a very powerful medium, through which a lot can be said.”
This multitalented actor humbly confesses that his own contribution to the different characters he plays in films is very less. “Everybody has to think when they act, but I am a little lazy in that way. I usually try to go with the director’s vision and stick to his brief,” says Kishore, who feels the subjects picked up by him allow him to think subconsciously and inherently relate to the part.
“My educational background, cultural influences and current situation where I work with people I can relate to is an advantage. When all of this comes together in the film, everything happens subconsciously. Whatever character you see on screen, you will see him reflecting my thoughts and ideas as well. To be frank, till today, I can’t relate to a subject like Bheeshma and I felt that it was a forced performance. But as the shooting continued, I started giving myself up to the environment and gradually becoming the character at hand. The camera is very sensitive. Even if you are not happy with certain things, it will reflect on the camera. I am a bad actor, so I can’t lie to the camera and I have to put in extra effort in case I don’t relate to the character,” says Kishore.
With so many good things happening for the actor, he still feels that something is missing from the picture.
“Stardom is one thing that has always eluded me. I don’t think I am star material and I also don’t have the urge to be popular. I need to be a star because I think it will help the films I do and the directors who choose me. A star is an added attraction for producers who will come easily to invest in the film and allow it to be made without any compromises. I feel sad when a few directors who believe in me struggle to get producers, and that’s when I think I should have been a star. In my knowledge, they are good films with serious issues at their heart. However, whenever there are such films, producers express their doubts about whether it will be successful,” he says.
Kishore’s organic farm and Buffalo Back store
There is another lesser known role that Kishore plays -- that of the farmer. He just completed sowing ragi seeds at his farm situated on the outskirts of Bangalore in Banerghatta. “I am into natural farming and both me and my wife have been trying to create a sustainable model. In this avatar, I am not a star, but a mere agriculturist who is focused on organic farming and spreading awareness about eating the right kind of toxin-free food. The varieties I grow on my farm are natural and pesticide free. My wife was the inspiration behind this organic farming venture and the both of us also run a store called Buffalo Back, a name that is inspired by Annavaru’s (Dr Rajkumar’s) song Yaare Koogadali. We have groups as well as individual farmers who are part of the Buffallo Back and are working with them to provide quality products natural products,” signs off Kishore.