Chetan relates to Mynaa role viscerally

He’s been called Sandalwood’s pretty boy with the perfect Kannada, albeit with a distinct American twang. Here, Chetan, who left behind a cozy life in the US to pursue the arts in Karnataka, tells us about the choices he’s made in life and his aspirations for the future. Excerpts:
Tell us about your growing up years, education and work... Born, raised, and educated in Chicago, USA, I was the valedictorian throughout my academic years and later graduated from Yale University with a distinction in Literature, History, and Comparative Theater in 2005.Subsequently, I came to Karnataka on a Fulbright Scholarship to study the Semiotics of Gender and Performance and worked in conjunction with the National School of Drama here.
Why India? What’s the connection? My relationship with India can be best allegorized through a tree: although the trunk, branches, and leaves may be visible, it’s the hidden roots that are its life-source. Similarly, my own roots — a vibrant Indian cultural identity — have informed my sense of self and life purpose ever since I was a child, relegating my American-ness as simply external. Just as a tree gives its shade, fruits, and bark without asking for anything in return, I’ve hoped of being a part of larger social movements for the benefit of those who have the least in society. It’s to actualize those dreams that I’ve come to India and plan to stay and work here.
How did you get into films? My parents, both physicians, had incredible foresight when I was a kid and threw me on to the stage. I was exposed to art in all its multiplicities from harikathe to yakshagana and took to mono acting, story-telling, folk and classical music up through college. My affair with performance continued in India as I acted in Kannada plays and worked in drama at the grassroots level. A couple years into it, I started receiving film offers and, in the name of art, decided to give one a shot.
You began your film career with realistic cinema that did well at the box office. How was the experience? Aa Dinagalu was appreciated because of its strong script, first and realistic portrayals, second. As a team full of industry newcomers, our journey understandably came across its share of rocks and potholes. But expectations were non-existent and success a surprise. Strong leadership from Agni Sridhar ensured that the film got its due.
Subsequently, your next two films were hardcore mainstream masala films. What prompted that change of image? After a film succeeds, opportunities may abound but roles often remain repetitive. This creates a paradox since it is an actor's responsibility to consciously get under the skin of diverse characters. Over a year and a half after Aa Dinagalu, Birugaali released with the kind of commercial response & role that I was looking for. Even today, a large majority of Kannada film-watchers - especially in the northern & non-urban parts of our state - associate me with Birugaali before anything else.
What do you think you were doing wrong? Looking back, is there anything you would do differently? If there's one thing I would do differently, it's learning how to read people - their thoughts and mannerisms - better. I have a tendency to trust easily and verify never. I blame this on an inherent unawareness that comes from not being raised here - a person from here may experience a similar displacement going abroad, perhaps. Feelings and emotions are context-sensitive and expressed differently in different cultures in spite of speaking the same language. For example, many have found my straightforwardness and transparency outlandish, while I am completely baffled as to what their hidden meanings and riddles refer to. It doesn't help that I live alone with two dogs because their advice barks don't help all that often!
What is your role in Mynaa like? Satya, my character in Mynaa, is someone I connect with viscerally. Satya possesses passion and depth, style and strength -- each attribute emerging 'colourfully' from one scene to the next. I relate to him on two compelling accounts: First, innocence in an unpredictable world; and second, dedication to causes he believes in.
Despite a good start to your film career, you've not been as prolific as one would expect. Why is that? I take things gradually and work on one film at a time because it helps me relate to the script and character better. Also, I only accept a project if I truly believe in it on artistic merits. If I do it for other reasons, I'd be deceiving the movie-going public. You may ask, 'What if you don't find such a script?' Then, I'll just have to wait till I do - forever maybe.
In your free time you've been involved in social activities in Mysore. Elaborate. Any issues pertaining to those who are marginalized by the very laws that are there to protect them are our issues. These include tribal rights, gender and rape issues, environmental degradation, labour reforms, caste concerns, education access, housing and land rights, poverty in all forms, and a plethora of others. For over a decade now, I've been involved in women's equality movements via self-help groups in Chamrajnagar and worked in educational capacities outside of Mysore. There are so many struggles of the subaltern that need to be addressed immediately -- and I do hope that those of us who believe in speaking truth to power can join hands and shed light on those ignored and even exploited by vested interests and people in positions of power.
You have also been taking French lessons… Learning new languages expands the ways we imagine ourselves and the world around us. I attempt to interact with writers of old by reading literature written in their native tongues. I studied Urdu for years just to read Partition writers Ismat Chughtai and Manto; Spanish in college for Neruda and Marquez; Kannada as a fan of writers from Pampa to Tejaswi; and now, French to catch a glimpse of Fanon and Césaire in their element. In other words, it sure does keep my mind up and active.
After all these years, do you think you did the right thing in making that move and leaving family behind the US? Professionally, it may take me many years to give you the right answer. But personally, nothing can be more gratifying than working in art and social justice right here in Karnataka, the land where my great-grandmothers toiled and the people of whom are my family.
Mynaa, produced by Omkar Movies, releases today