Focus on mass and pan-Indian films has sidelined good comedy: Chikkanna

Chikkanna’s debut film as the lead, Upadhyaksha, became the first blockbuster hit of the year 2024. A year later, the actor has signed his second film as lead, titled Lakshmi Putra. With over 250 films as a comedian, in a span of 15 years, the actor speaks about the current scenario of comedy in the Kannada film industry, and how the genre is slowly vanishing amid pan-India films’ hullabaloo, his future as a comedian, the risk of risking it all to be a hero, and how comedy will always be an integral part of cinema, and more. Excerpts:

‘Comedians can afford a flop; Heroes can’t. The stakes are totally different’
Every actor eventually faces the question: “What’s next?” After spending almost 15 years in the industry as a comedian, this question started haunting me. So, naturally, the next step was to play the lead in a film. Which is why I gathered some courage and put together Upadhyaksha. I took an interest and looked for the script. I got in touch with the producers. See, as a comedian, my only concern is my role. I come to set at the assigned time, do my part, and leave. There is no tension at all, and I lose nothing if that film flops. For a comedian, a hit film is a plus, and a flop isn’t necessarily a minus. But it doesn’t work that way for a hero. When you are a hero, your film has to win; every rupee spent from the producers’ pocket has to be recovered. Only then will another producer come to us with a project.

‘If people start accepting me in other roles, maybe eventually I’ll phase out of comedy’
Not taking risks is the biggest risk! If you don’t attempt something, you’ll never know if it works. I’ve been a comedian my entire life, and I’ll continue being one. I don’t dream of becoming a big mass/commercial hero. But if people start accepting me in other roles, maybe eventually I’ll phase out of comedy. But that’s a whole different conversation. The “if” matters a lot here. Also, the problem is, once my film as a hero becomes a hit, filmmakers may become hesitant to approach me for comedy roles, assuming I might not do them, or even fearing a rise in my remuneration. As an artist, I’ve also become more responsible now, as people have certain expectations of me. If they offer a good role (as a comedian), and if they pay me well (laughs), I’ll definitely do it.


‘Most pan-Indian films lack good comedy, and I don’t understand why!’
Fortunately, when I entered the film industry, comedians used to have equal importance as lead actors in terms of screen space. I’ve acted in so many films where I shot for the same number of days as the lead actors. Now, when I read certain scripts, it makes me wonder where the joke is! I know the comedy written there isn’t going to work because it’s so mediocre. But as an artist, I respect the director, and I have no right to change his vision. Because of these mass films and pan-India films, no one is even thinking about the comedy track here. This problem persists only here. Take Rajinikanth’s Jailer, for instance. He isn’t a pan-Indian star; he’s a global superstar. The film is 60% comedy. Like emotions, comedy is universal, but I don’t understand why today’s filmmakers aren’t looking at this angle. People are waiting for a good comedy film as comedy has the power to transport them to a world where their problems don’t exist. Today, there is no comedy in films, and full-fledged comedy films aren’t being made.

‘Tara, who played Yash’s mom in my first film, is playing my mom in Lakshmi Putra’
My first film as a lead, Upadhyaksha, was an out-and-out comedy. But with Lakshmi Putra, we’ve blended comedy with a nice mother-son story. There’s a message at the end too; when I say “message”, it’s not something that reforms society, but something that resonates with family audiences. I’m 100% sure that as soon as people come out of theaters after watching the film, they’ll call their moms. Also, Tara, who played Yash’s mom in my debut film as an actor, Kirataka, is playing my mom in Lakshmi Putra. Surprisingly, in 15 years, we’ve never worked together. So, I’m looking forward to acting with “lucky Amma”, and I hope the luck rubs off on me too!

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