‘I was instantly hooked’: Kannada actor Dhananjaya on saying yes to back Srinidhi Bengaluru’s ‘Jerax’

Many people leave comfortable jobs to follow what they truly love. Kannada actor Daali Dhananjaya is one such example. Before entering films, he worked at Infosys, but chose to chase his passion for acting. Now, as he backs the OTT show ‘Jerax’,Dhananjaya talks about how OTT platforms offer more creative freedom compared to commercial cinema. In a conversation with the Economic Times, Dhananjaya shared that he wanted something fresh for his first project. He did not just look at the genre. He wanted a strong story. He said, "Personally, I’m drawn to the genre of Jerax, a blend of comedy, thriller, and political satire. It’s something I enjoy as an audience member as well."When Srinidhi Bengaluru (who is the writer and director of the show) narrated the story, he was impressed. He said, "When Srinidhi, a young filmmaker, first narrated the story, I was instantly hooked." That moment made him decide quickly.He even revealed that at first he considered making it into a film. But things changed. He said, "In fact, my initial instinct was to develop it as a film, but when ZEE5 proposed it as a series, we were happy to take that decision.”He feels OTT gives more freedom, stories can go deeper and new ideas can come out. For him, ‘Jerax’ is not just a project. It is a step towards giving new talent a chance. He believes in backing good stories and strong writing. This is just the beginning of his journey as a producer.Speaking about the show, it revolves around the people of Malavalli who live simple lives. But everything changes when something strange happens in a Xerox shop. It slowly turns from normal life into confusion and surprise.The cast also includes Payal Chengappa, Manju Pavagada, Om Prakash Rao, Srivatsa, Yashwanth Shetty, Vijaya Prasad, Thukali Santhu, Usha Bhandary, Jagappa, Siddu Mandya, Sudhakar Gowda, and Richard Louis.The entire show is currently streaming online.