Arjun Sarja talks about his Kannada directorial debut that hit the marquee last week.
Popular South Indian actor Arjun Sarja’s latest film titled Abhimanyu in Kannada, titled Jai Hind 2 in Tamil and Telugu, hit the screens across South India last Friday.
The film has got off to an average start at the box-office according to trade sources.
It has got mixed reviews in Tamil and Telugu but has won positive feedback in Kannada.
Arjun, who is also the writer, producer and director of the film, has termed it a sequel to his 1994 hit Jai Hind by rechristening it Jai Hind 2 for the Telugu and Tamil versions.
While Abhimanyu is Arjun’s directorial debut in Kannada cinema, Jai Hind 2 is his 11th venture as producer and director in Tamil cinema.
Having earned the title ‘Action King,’ Arjun has turned the spotlight on the declining values of the education system in India, especially the donation mafia of private educational institutions with this latest trilingual film.
The films have been released in 850 theatres across the whole of South India.
In this interview, Arjun Sarja shares his excitement about directing his first Kannada film and his views on the Indian education system.
Why did you title the film Abhimanyu in Kannada? You say it's a sequel to your earlier hit Jai Hind, released two decades ago. How is it going to be a sequel for the Kannada audiences?
It is only a title sequel as this story is different from Jai Hind. It is totally a new subject with a new story for the Telugu and Tamil audiences, with a patriotic theme forming the undercurrent in the film’s narration.
As the title Jai Hind was already registered in Kannada, we went ahead with Abhimanyu.
Did you choose that title because Abhimanyu is Arjuna's son?
Yes. I admire Abhimanyu’s character in the Mahabharata. He is the number one hero in the epic battle that took place in Kurukshetra.
He is an ultimate warrior and I idolise him.
However, this Abhimanyu is slightly different from the Mahabharata character in the sense that he doesn’t die.
What has the box-office collection been like?
I am happy with the response as I was not expecting big returns.
I had to live up to the expectations of the distributors and the audiences who want to see me in action roles. I cannot disappoint them.
Isn’t the theme of the film too idealistic?
I thought of doing this film after reading former President Abdul Kalam’s book.
People of this country deserve basic primary education.
I have tried to deal with the education system in government and private schools and what it takes to educate the poor or for them to get basic education in the country.
This is a nationally relevant subject. I have never given such an action film to my audiences. The action scenes have been done realistically. There are no acrobatics.
But I agree that there is more action and that is because of commercial considerations. 
How do you intend to reach out to larger audiences?
I intend to arrange a screening for our politicians in Karnataka. I tried to reach out to Abdul Kalam but couldn’t. However, he has conveyed his greetings to me.
I also intend to have a screening for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Politicians of Andhra Pradesh are discussing the education system in the context of this film on television channels.
There was an instance of a young school kid in Tamil Nadu being kept out of class for four days and the kid ended his life.
Why did it take you close to 25 years to direct your first Kannada film?
I really don’t know the reasons for the delay. All that I can say is I was waiting for the right subject.
I am quite possessive about my mother tongue which is Kannada. My mother often asked me what I was doing in Kannada whenever I spoke to her about my successes in other languages.
Do you think that you have not got your due from the Kannada film industry?
I really don’t know but I think I should have. I feel sad about it. That’s only about the industry, but I love my language.
Audiences have encouraged me in Karnataka with open arms because they have watched my Tamil or Telugu films and made them a success even in my home state.
Sometimes it is regrettable that people in the industry decide what I should get and this was the story about 30 years back.
Recently, you surprised the Kannada audience with your performance in the offbeat film Prasad that won you your first award for best actor from the government of Karnataka. Wasn’t it a departure from your action image?
I have always wanted to do different roles. This was a role that was a departure from my action image.
We worked on the screenplay and the theme of the film after I heard the story initially.
I played the father of a special child in the movie and I was quite moved by the role.
My mother was quite happy that I won the award. But, awards and doctorates do not matter; it is the recognition that I get from audiences of different states that is more satisfying.
Do you miss your brother Kishore Sarja who died an untimely death some years ago?
I really miss my brother Kishore a lot, all the time.
He would have helped me with this movie since it required a lot of leg work.
What do you have to say about your nephews’ successes?
I am happy for my nephews, Chiranjeevi and Dhruva. They are more like my sons.
Do you intend to launch your daughter Aishwarya in a Kannada film? You have also announced plans to shoot a historical film titled Durgasthamana. Which of these will be launched first?
I will be directing my daughter in my next directorial venture, in two or three languages, but I have not decided on it as of now.
I am planning another historical movie that will be based on renowned Kannada novelist Ta Ra Su’s novel Durgasthamana.
This will take at least six more months for scripting. I intend to cast Chiranjeevi and Dhruva in the film.
Do you regret not doing Sangolli Rayana, which went on to become a super hit?
I have no regrets about not doing the film. I have my own views about selecting scripts and being part of a movie.
I may be right or wrong but if I am not convinced about the role, I won’t be part of it.
I am really happy about the success of the film. I am happy for the production house and Darshan who acted in the movie.
