‘Dadda Praveena’ aka Ranjan grows up, from artiste to hero

Remember ‘Dadda Praveena’ from Rishab Shetty’s Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shale? Well, Praveena aka Ranjan, is all grown up now, and set to debut as lead actor in Scam 1770.
According to Ranjan, the movie, a college caper, revolves around an education system scam. “I don’t play dadda (dimwit) here,” laughs Ranjan, adding, “I play an average student. The film highlights how the education system is misused by some moneybags.”
Rishab Shetty’s protégé
Ranjan had a small role in Kantara as well. Training under Rishab Shetty, the actor was initially reluctant to test new waters. “Director Vikas Pushpagiri approached me during Kantara. He said he wrote the story keeping me in my mind after my performance in Sarkari. Scam 1770 has thriller elements, and a non-linear approach. Both my previous films were under Rishab Shetty, so I was a bit hesitant to move out of my comfort zone. But, the team made me feel like home,” Ranjan says.
It took some days for Ranjan to get used to the Bengaluru dialect. “After the shoot, I would spend time with the director and practice the next day’s dialogues. He would explain everything so the filmmaking process was easy,” he adds.

'Spent days observing'
Learning under Rishab Shetty who he calls, “cool and collected on the sets,” for two films has no doubt enhanced Ranjan's fortunes. “On the sets of Sarkari, I was a newbie, so I spent days observing. During Kantara, I learnt the nuances of direction as I worked a bit in that department. I am still a student here as there is so much to learn,” he signs off.