Films landed on a platter for me

He may have his roots in Haasan, but young actor Vihan Gowda identifies himself as a complete Bengaluru boy, having lived here all his life. An MBA holder who planned to turn businessman, but instead landed in showbiz, Vihan says that a career in films was never on his radar. 'In school and college, I was always more interested in extra-curricular activities. I wasn't bad at studies, but I just did not like academics.Instead, I would be busy with dance competitions, sports, etc. I had also turned model and my friends thought that I should give films a try. I didn't pursue it, but a picture of me on the ramp landed in Gaurish Akki's office when he was casting for his debut directorial, Cinema My Darling. He asked me to meet him, and after a brief screen test, I was selected as one of the leads of the film. I owe my film career to Gaurish,' says Vihan, who is gearing up for the release of the film this week.
While Cinema My Darling almost landed in his lap, Vihan managed to get another role at the same time. 'Even though I live near director Yogaraj Bhat's house, I caught his attention only when director Krish Joshi suggested me for a role in Parapancha, which was being made under Yogaraj's banner. They didn't know that I was already working on Gaurish's film, and he didn't know about my role in Parapancha. In fact, I managed to keep films a secret even from my family,' laughs the actor. Vihan adds that his dad got wind of it only after visuals of Cinema My Darling's audio launch appeared on TV. 'My dad does not like the fact that I am in this field now, but he is OK with my choice. In Gaurish's film, I play an aspiring actor who runs into a glamorous item girl and falls in love with her. The love aspect apart, the rest of my character's storyline is very close to my real life. So, acting in this film was very easy for me,' says Vihan.
The film also stars Manojava Galgali, Shreyas Narasimha and Shashi Deshpande, and the action sequences made filming far from a bed of roses, says the actor. 'Gaurish and I were clear that we did not want to show larger-than-life action sequences, so the two stunts in the film are very realistic. In one sequence, a stunt actor had to break an actual garden pot on me. By the end of the shoot, I had several bruises and a dislocated shoulder, which put me out of action for a month, but it was worth the effort,' he says.
Considering that he only had a cameo in Parapancha, Vihan is now eager to see how audiences react to him in Cinema My Darling. 'I am also equally excited about my next film under Yogaraj's banner, called Kaal Kg Preethi, in which I play the solo lead. I am paired with Hitha Chandrashekar in this love story, which has a Jab We Met feel to it,' says Vihan.
While film offers continue to pour, the actor is clear that his future plans will depend on the fate of these two films. 'I didn't have to struggle to get into films, and I certainly do not want to struggle to stay in the industry. If things don't work out for me, I will look at my back-up plan and turn businessman,' he signs off.