Baraguru Ramachandrappa

Prof Baraguru Ramachandrappa has been in various fields. He was awarded for his very first venture Ondu Oorina Kathe, for best storywriter and best script writing. His movies Benki, Surya, Janumada Jodi and Kote have also won him many awards. A brief interview with him.

You are a professor in the University. What made you enter filmdom?

Since childhood, I was very curious about this field and always wanted to know more and more about it. Like others, its 'maya' (world of illusion) also attracted me. It was only during the later stages that I became clear about my vision and entered the field.

What was your experience with your very first movie?

I really struggled to enter this field. Since I had no background in this field, no producer came forward to take me as a director. One of my friends agreed to produce a movie, but due to some problems, he also backed out. Then, I decided to produce it on my own.

How did you manage to produce since you didn't have the background?

Somehow I wanted to enter this field. My determination showed me the way. As I am a government employee, I could not produce in my name. So I took a loan from a bank in my wife's name and produced 'Ondu Oorina Kathe'.

Was it a hit?

No, it was not. I did not even get my investment back. But it won me many awards for best story and script and established me as a director. I am still repaying the loan in installments.

All the movies you have worked for have won awards. Do you direct them with the intention of getting some award?

Then, may be I will not come out with such good work. I feel anything should be a natural outflow, not motivated from something external.

There is a general perception that art and commercial cinema are two different entities. What do you feel?

I would disagree with that. This kind of segregation should stop and if people have to get some good entertainment with a message, directors should come out with movies which can make the audience sit for three hours, enjoy and walk out with a progressive thought.

How do you think you can do that?

I have shown that in Hagaluvesha. My intention was to show the contribution of the villagers in the freedom movement and at the same time, it is entertaining. They also have played their own role and you can take popular heroes to get a larger viewership.

Is it a real incident or a story?

In my childhood days, I had known Hagaluvesha artists. It was then that I heard about this incident. I thought their contribution should not go unrecognized and so, developed this story around that incident.

In the film industry today, we come across only big budget movies. Why is it so?

I would say that it depends on whether the story demands it or not. At present, what has happened is that even if a farmer dreams, he should dream in America (as most people go abroad just to shoot songs).

What do you say about the graphics and DTS sound system, which were unheard of earlier?

As I said, the subject should demand anything. For an action movie, digital sound effects are fine, at the same time it is not necessary for 'Hagaluvesha', which is purely about folk art and melodious songs.

What do you say about the graphics and DTS sound system, which were unheard of earlier?

As I said, the subject should demand anything. For an action movie, digital sound effects are fine, at the same time it is not necessary for 'Hagaluvesha', which is purely about folk art and melodious songs.

In which direction, do you think, this film industry should move?

I feel this kind of distinction between art movie and commercial movies should stop. I am advocating a new concept called popular cinema.

Would you explain what it is about?

Popular cinema is something like popular art. 'Popular' here is not vulgarity, double meaning comedy. I am speaking about Brecht and his concept of popular art. It means adopting a subject from the everyday life of the common man and giving it back to him in a creative way. It is the social responsibility of the director to create awareness and guide the public through this most effective mass media.

Who is your favorite actor?

Dr Rajkumar.

Which is your favorite movie?

Devadasu, a Telugu movie of A N Nageshwar Rao.

To conclude, what is your message to the people?

I would say one should always think progressively and move in life. Movement is the essence of life. Anything stagnant will cease to survive.