A 27-year-old autorickshaw driver based in the city has managed to bag the role of the protagonist’s friend in the Kannada film Jaggu Dada.
Yuva has earlier appeared in blink-and-miss roles in films like Varadanayaka, Drishya, Veera, Shivajinagara and Airavata. But this time, he will be seen throughout the movie as one of lead actor Darshan’s friends.
Yuva thanks the Challenging Star -- whom he calls anna -- for the opportunity. “On the sets of Airavata, I was among the many youngsters who were part of the film. Anna called me and told me that he had a role for me in Jaggu Dada and asked if I would be interested. I had only one word in response - yes,” he narrates.
The young fan admits to being star-struck in the presence of Darshan. “I don’t understand why, but I tear up every time I am in front of anna. So I prefer to see him from a distance. I am very moved that he saw something in me,” he says.
While he rides an autorickshaw during the day, Yuva takes dance lessons in the evening. “I realised that I am not a good dancer. It has kept me from being part of a song in Jaggu Dada. I feel I should try to get better for any director to cast me in the future,” Yuva says.
Chintan, who is debuting as a director with Chakravarthy, gave Yuva, some tips.. “Even though I didn’t have any personal connection with him, he used to teach me how to emote and gave tips whenever he was on the sets It has helped me build my confidence,” he says.
Jaggu Dada director Raghavendra Hegde too was patient with him, Yuva adds.
Originally from Banawasi, Karwar, Yuva moved to Bengaluru when he was 14. He could have led a comfortable life there, as his father owns agricultural land. But the youngster wanted to make it on his own.
“My father is a graduate in psychology but my brother and I did not study. He is upset about it. But it’s all right. I don’t depend on him. I started working as a cleaner and later took up a sales job. Now I have a lot of things happening in my life,” Yuva says.
While he enjoyed Hindi movies as a child, he started enjoying Kannada films after watching Darshan’s Majestic and some of Ambareesh’s hits. But it was Kalasipalya that pushed him to become an actor.
Darshan’s surname Thoogudeepa struck him, as it is also his father’s name.
Initially, Yuva thought he needed to graduate college to become an actor. “I should have shown interest in studies, but I didn’t. But I never stopped trying. My efforts have brought me this far,” he says.
Yuva also plays a supporting role in Ragini Dwivedi’s Veera Ranachandi. “There are a lot of people struggling out there, waiting for an opportunity to get into films. I have been blessed with guidance from the right people. I don’t aim too high and will work hard to become a good actor,” he says.