Don-turned-social activist appears in Tulu film

MANGALORE: From unproven shooting in real life to shooting for reel life, former don-turned-social activist, Muthappa Rai, has added a new chapter to his already colourful life. Rai has played himself in a guest-appearance role in a Tulu film `Kanchilada Baale,' directed by Kumbra Raghunath Rai that will be released simultaneously at Puttur, Mangalore and Udupi on March 25.This foray, Rai says, is the dress rehearsal for a film planned on his actual life.
Sounding excited at his maiden acting venture, Rai, who admits that he has received quite a few offers for guest appearances from Sandalwood told TOI that he is happy that his wish to don grease paint was fulfilled with a Tulu film. "There are not many films produced in Tulu. When this opportunity to act in Kanchilada Bale came, I accepted it," Rai said, adding that what was supposed to be a 10-minute shoot took almost the entire day.
While people will judge Rai essaying the role of Rai as head of Jaya Karnataka on Friday, a film project on his own life has hit technical problem. "Since I do not have my passport, and some of the scenes have to be shot outside India, the project is on hold," Rai said. Besides, there is also a matter of sitting down with script writers and finalising the same, he said, adding the matter in the script is voluminous enough to produce three to four films.
In Kanchilada Bale, the hero invites Rai to lay foundation stone for a hospital that he plans in the memory of his mother. The other appearance that Rai makes on screen is at the function where he delivers a speech. "The film on my life will not have this feel-good factor any may leave quite a few politicians and those in the (police) department red-faced," he said. "I am waiting for a good director and my passport issue to be resolved," Rai said.