It’s been a struggle of 8 years with many rejections: RJ Anoopa on landing his first full-length role with Vasudeva Kutumba

After taking baby steps in acting with cameos, Anoop A Bellavi, better known as RJ Anoopa, is now making his official debut as a full-fledged actor on Kannada television. He has bagged a pivotal role in the upcoming daily soap Vasudeva Kutumba, where he plays Kumara, the second lead character.Speaking to ETimes about his new journey, Anoopa shared, “Oh! It’s been a long wait of nearly six to seven months for this. I received the call in January, and by February, the confirmation arrived. We started shooting in July. Kumara is a very naïve, boy-next-door kind of character—simple, honest, and relatable. He’s a ladies’ tailor who makes sacrifices for his loved ones. It feels beautiful to bring such a character alive on screen.

”On working with senior actors, he said, “I feel privileged to share the screen with Avinash sir. I play his son-in-law in the show. It’s truly an honor to be alongside veterans. The entire team is very warm. We’re like family now. With such a good director and production team, you are never left unanswered for anything, which makes the experience even more fulfilling.”When asked about stepping into Kumara's shoes, Anoopa revealed that the role didn’t demand a drastic transformation.

“Nothing much, actually. I carry the same look as my casual self. But it was very challenging to remain calm and composed as Kumara. He is extra positive, and in that sense, I find him very similar to my real-life personality.”Anoopa considers this his official debut despite having appeared in five shows earlier in cameo roles. “This is my first big project, and I am extremely excited. It’s been a struggle of eight years to land my first proper character in a serial.

I really hope to make a place in the viewers’ hearts.”Recalling his struggles, Anoopa revealed that acting had always been his childhood dream.“I was a theatre artist and also a Vidwath in Bharatanatyam. Dance has always been my forte and helped me understand the navarasa, which is now helping me in acting. I never had stage fright. I always enjoyed the appreciation and applause during performances. That passion pushed me to take up acting full-time.”Like many aspiring actors, Anoopa too faced rejections, but he sees them as stepping stones.“Oh yes, there were definitely rejections in my early career. But those rejections made me a stronger actor today. They taught me persistence and resilience. I know rejections won’t stop here, but it’s all part of the journey. Meeting the character’s needs is the real key. The only takeaway is to be persistent and keep doing your job until you succeed or reach your goal.”Signing off on an inspiring note, Anoopa added, “Dreams do take time, but if you stay patient and consistent, you’ll get there. I’m here today because I never stopped trying, and I’d tell every aspiring actor. Don’t give up, your moment will come.”