A scion of the Rajkumar family is beginning his movie career as a producer, and not an actor.
Guru Rajkumar, son of Raghavendra Rajkumar and grandson of Rajkumar, is stepping in as a producer for Run Anthony, starring his brother Vinay Rajkumar.
“Our family is involved in everything to do with cinema. I have spent most of my childhood at shoots with my grandfather, my father, and Chikkappa (Puneeth Rajkumar). I understand the process. That’s why I took up the responsibility of a producer,” he told City Express.
Run Anthony is hero Vinay’s second film, after Siddhartha. It came to Guru when he had just completed his degree in architecture from M S Ramaiah College. “I thought it was the right project, and got involved,” he says.
His first step was listening to the script. “Vinay, who had already heard it, was keen that we listen. So, my father, a close family friend (Sridevi), and I sat and listened. That’s when I developed a rapport with the script, the director and young team,” he explains.
Guru was impressed with the way the team handled cameras and equipment, and composed its shots. Guru was particular the whole film be shot in Karnataka. “When we have beautiful landscapes, why go elsewhere? We have shot at some wonderful locales in Bidar, Kudremukh, and Bengaluru,” he says.
Guru was curious about all aspects of the making, but took care not to be interfering. “I am concentrating on how differently I can promote the film,” he says.
Over the last two years, Kannada cinema has changed in orientation, he believes. “People ask for entertainment and we have made sure Run Anthony will not disappoint them,” he says.
With the two brothers bonding off screen, they did discuss Run Anthony a lot. However, Guru made sure not to disturb the actor.
“Vinay, over the years, has learnt a lot. I see him getting involved in the character and becoming one. I love watching him act. He asks me for suggestions, and similarly, I take his inputs,” says Guru.
Guru feels lucky he has the best in the business guiding him. “My father has been standing by us. Without our production managers Channa and Mallikarjun, I couldn’t have done so much. We took collective decisions. Channa has been around from my grandfather’s days,” he says.
Director Raghu Shastry has worked hard on the script, and Guru finds his style “different.”
“I am not in a hurry to turn actor. I want to be an all-rounder and a good filmmaker,” Guru signs off.