Raj B Shetty on Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye: ‘I’m a flawed human being, I want the characters I play, write also to be as flawed’

Kannada filmmakers Raj B Shetty (centre) with Rakshit Shetty (left) and Rishab Shetty.

Raj B Shetty, a multifaceted talent in the Kannada film industry, has garnered widespread acclaim for his contributions as an actor, director, and writer. Hailing from Mangaluru, Karnataka, Shetty first gained recognition with his impactful writing in the critically acclaimed film Ondu Motteya Kathe (2017), a poignant comedy-drama that explored themes of self-acceptance and societal norms. His nuanced Everyman roles and portrayal of a bald protagonist in the film at once endeared him to audiences. Shetty continued to make waves with his directorial debut, Ondu Motteya Kathe, earning accolades for his storytelling finesse. With last year's Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana, the writer-director-actor transformed into a different beast, an entire film without a dialogue, Shetty's eyes and expressions drove the narrative of the gangster film. Also appearing in Kannada independent cinema, he was seen in Natesh Hegde's Pedro.

Among the three prominent Shettys of the Kannada film industry, and known for his ability to blend humour with meaningful narratives, his distinctive storytelling and cinematic expressions, Raj B Shetty has become a prominent figure in the southern film industry.

With Siri Ravikumar in a still from the just-released 'Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye'.

After the action-packed Toby this year, in his latest film Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, which released in theatres this week, he plays the lead role opposite Siri Ravikumar, as Prerana, a palliative care centre counsellor, who prepares the terminally-ill for the end. along with having written and directed it.

Raj B Shetty, who has also written and directed the film, talks about more than the film in this exclusive interview. Edited excerpts:

During the film's promotion, you said life is like a flower, it should be bright and gentle. Tell us about Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye and what made you write it?

This film is something that I have written for people who are trying to see and reflect the fragileness of life. What I said in the interviews is in that context. People who are suffering from terminal illness are admitted to die and they are counseled and prepared to have a happy death. We don’t know when we are going to die, so, it is important to live happily. A flower blooms every day knowing that it will dry up and die tomorrow. But that is its process of life. So, being alive itself is something that should keep us bright.

How did actress Ramya come on board to produce the film?

Ramya ma’am watched Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana and called to appreciate me for the performance. We thought of working together. That is how we collaborated for Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye. She heard the story, liked it and came forward to produce it.

‘I am not a hero. I don’t call myself a hero...I am a flawed human being and I want the characters I play/write also to be as flawed as I am.’

Raj B Shetty.

You are not a conventional hero, you have broken that stereotype on the big screen. What are your thoughts about that change in the industry?

I never wanted or want to break stereotypes. I am a flawed human being and I want the characters I play/write also to be as flawed as I am. To be close to reality. I want those characters to face the same problems we all face. I am not a hero. I don’t call myself a hero. Cinema is art and it has to be explored. I don’t think great of myself for doing that. It has to happen someday and I am happy it did. In every part of world, being heroic is a template. The canvas is getting bigger and people are forgetting what life actually is. Some films and the characters make you understand the reality of life. Those characters make you feel uncomfortable because they reflect real life.

Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana made you popular across south India. Did it change your life?

With Garuda Gamana..., the only thought people had is that why this man is so violent. That is my whole point. Why are we so violent and what do we get out of it? This film was an experience on violence to keep people out of it. This film has given me exposure and market.

‘Some films and characters make you understand the reality of life...make you feel uncomfortable because they reflect real life... Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana was an experience on violence to keep people out of it.’

Raj B Shetty.

What kind of films do you what to make?

I want to make films of those stories which I think should be told. That is why we made Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye. In this film, female character is a lead. There are no fights or action scenes. It goes on a slow pace and it is an experiment actually. I want to make films that are practical and close to reality.

Are you open to working in other languages?

Of course I am. I am open to exploration of other languages and industries. I want to be a student who gets to learn a lot of things. From building a set to learning the languages, I am open to do things where I get a lot to learn.

Who is your inspiration?

My inspiration is Robert De Niro in the film Taxi Driver (1976). While watching that film, I was just waiting for him to start acting. I was waiting and waiting and the film got over. He is a born artist. I was even unable to pronounce his name properly but he was my inspiration.

‘We don’t know the market. Pan

-India trend is not for ever.’

In this perimeter of life, the circle has to come to an end. Nothing remains the same for a longer time. This trend will also come to an end someday. Earlier, we used to produce movies on cop stories, female-oriented action movies, mythologies, and many other concept-oriented films. All languages used to follow this trend and now those are forgotten. Here we are unable to deliver big hits in 10 years now. It is just that we don’t know the market. Pan-India will fall as nothing is forever.

‘My inspiration is Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver (1976). While watching that film, I was just waiting for him to start acting. I was waiting and waiting and the film got over.’

I read a lot of books in my free time. I belong to Mangalore and at my home there, there are many pet dogs and in Bengaluru, there is one. I spend time with them.

Tell us about the Raj Shetty, Rakshit Shetty and Rishab Shetty trio. It is good to see you all supporting each other in a competitive film industry.

Our friendship is a very good one. We have been working with each other. We share an emotional support and are there for each other. We all are young filmmakers and our vision towards cinema is something that we keep discussing. We want to make good films and tell good stories. That’s it.