Rajavardan bets on Kannada cinema’s global moment with pan-Asian film

Kannada actor Rajavardan, the son of veteran actor Dingri Nagaraj, may have had an entry point into the industry, but his journey so far reflects a steady accumulation of experience — both in front of and behind the camera.

Having headlined films like Bicchugatti and Gajarama, the actor is optimistic about the trajectory of Kannada cinema and says his next project is a pan-Asian film, a vision he has been nurturing for years.Of the ‘pan-Asian’ concept, Rajavardan believes that the film industry is naturally evolving towards wider markets. “Kannada cinema is moving towards pan-India and even pan-Asian storytelling, given the kind of stories we are telling now,” he explains, pointing to narratives that are increasingly universal and backed by larger production values.

At the same time, he is candid about the challenges. “We often limit our films to the Kannada market and sometimes don’t even take them to neighbouring states,” he notes.According to him, this hesitation stems from limited access to networks and distribution channels. However, he believes that mindset is shifting. Viewing every project as a stepping stone, Rajavardan says, “Each film has taught me something. Last year, working as the creative head and producer on Kamal Sridevi gave me deeper insight into the creative and business sides of the industry.

There are investors across the country willing to take our cinema global — we just need to build the right connections,” he says.

A student of fine arts, Rajavardan approaches cinema with a learner’s mindset. “Everything I’ve done so far—every film, every role—has been a learning experience. I feel my true cinematic journey begins now,” he adds. As for the film he is working on now, he says, “It’s been in the works for four years. I’ve been preparing intensively for the last two and haven’t taken up another project since 2022,” he reveals. The preparation has been rigorous, involving physical training, workshops, and character development.

“Since it’s an action-driven film, fitness and bodybuilding have been my main focus,” he says, hinting at the scale and demands of the project.