Achutha Kumar adds bitterness to Bheemasena Nalamaharaja

Karthik Saragur’s Bheemasena Nala-maharaja is all about flavours, with each of his characters representing a different one. Achutha Kumar, who plays an Iyengar baker in the film, represents the bitter taste. “I play a strict father, but his sternness is not understood either by his daughter or by others. He wants the best for his child, but she thinks of him as Hitler. That’s the real tragedy — the child doesn’t realise that her father only wants to raise her right. This creates distance between the father and child, which lasts throughout their lives. This is why I am the ‘bitter’ character,” says Achutha.

His portions of the film were shot largely at the century-old Imperial Bakery in KGF, and a 150-year-old British bungalow that belonged to John Tayer, the founder of the KGF factory. Playing a baker meant Achutha had to tap into his culinary skills. So, was this something that came naturally to him? “I knew nothing about cooking; all I can manage to make is

Chitranna

(lemon rice). But I have spent a lot of time at a friend’s Iyengar bakery, and knew how breads and cakes are made — only through watching, of course. They still use old-time equipment at the Imperial Bakery, so it was interesting to see the entire process,” he says.
Among the fond memories for Achutha from the shoot is working with

Chitrali

, who plays his daughter in the movie.

“She is a very good actress. Her expressions, the sincerity with which she works and the way she quickly grasps whatever the director wants from her are at par with experienced actors. It was a pleasure to work with her,” Achutha signs off.