Rakesh Adiga: I want to play tough roles

Young and upcoming Kannada actor Rakesh Adiga won accolades for his tough performance as a wannabe don in Alemaari.

He made his debut as a lover boy in the entertaining film Josh after being selected in a state-wide audition.

He played a lover boy to the hilt in Manasology but the film flopped. Even before getting selected to play one of the careless college guys opposite actress Nithya Menen in the film Josh, Rakesh was part of a college band that composed two songs for the Kannada film Harikathe. 

In this interview with Srikanth Srinivasa, Rakesh Adiga talks about his latest film Parie and his new found fame with Alemaari.

What is your role in Parie?

I play a very orthodox Brahmin boy who goes to a camp of Lambani tribals due to certain circumstances and gets sucked into the liquor industry. He falls in love with a Lambani girl and that becomes a point of revolt between the two families

The posters of the movie indicate that the film is a love triangle...

The film is not about a love triangle. There is a lot of curiosity about the posters. Director Sudhir Attavar has not given an opportunity to audiences to form an opinion as every poster speaks a different language.

The film is also the journey of a boy and is based on the female protagonist, Parie. It is a love story that evokes a lot of curiosity.

What can the audiences expect from Parie?

They can expect good entertainment.

People can expect some amount of freshness and uniqueness in the narration and get involved in the narration.

Why did your role in Alemaari appeal to you?

I wanted to come out of the chocolate-hero image after Josh and Manasology. I was advised against accepting the role of Nimhans Suri in Alemaari. My friends told me that I would get branded as a villain.

It was a good opportunity and I didn't want to let it go. Thankfully, after the movie released, I have not been offered any villain roles.

I could see the terror in that character. I knew I could be aggressive and that I could give my character a tough feel.

I took the risk and it has paid off. I am now getting action roles.

What films are currently under production?

Currently, I am doing Ayodhyapuram and Preethinda. Preethinda is a tender love story. 

I have signed up for another film titled Dove with the Alemaari team. The film will be directed by Santhu.

What kind of roles would you like to do?

I don't want to get into the chocolate-hero roles any more. I want to play tough roles and build a tough image for myself.

I want to do challenging roles that are fresh in their approach and that will win at the box office. I am a director's actor. I would like to work with a good team.

How did audiences that saw the premiere of Parie in Mumbai, react?

People appreciated my performance in the movie.