‘I’ve more to show apart from just comedy, hence the image makeover’

Actor-politician Jaggesh’s upcoming film 8 MM’s first look has created quite the waves online. The comic star takes a rather serious makeover in the poster. The film, which is set to go on floors later this month, is apparently part of a conscious decision by Jaggesh to reinvent himself on the big screen.
“All these years, I have done a lot of comedy and this is an attempt to come out of that. I have so many good emotions inside me and I can bring them out with a wider range of emotions, but comedy has somehow stuck with me,” he says. "What have been my biggest plusses and minuses are three films of mine that became massive hits — Matha, Eddelu Manjunatha and Neer Dose — where I have been fixed to a certain image,” points out Jaggesh.
This was one of the reasons why the actor chose to not just transform himself physically, but also wait it out for over two-and-a-half years before he signed a new film. “I have rejected at least 8-10 films recently. People have even questioned me that when I get so many scripts at my age, why am I rejecting them. By god’s grace, I am well off and have a business too, which is why I can choose to wait for creative satisfaction in the scripts, especially given that I am 55 now and have spent 34 years in the industry,” says Jaggesh.
The actor cites examples of his idols like Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan and the late Rajkumar as people who inspired him to look for something new. “I have keenly monitored their careers and the roles they took after a certain point in their lives. I find that inspiring,” he adds.
The reason for him to take up 8 MM is the novelty in the script by 26-year-old director Hari, says Jaggesh. “This film has a beautiful script, which shows the hero in a completely negative shade, which will surprise and shock the viewers and make them question why Jaggesh is seen in such a way. Though, the film also has its own justification of family and values, which is summed up in the end and I am sure it will have everyone’s eyes welled up,” he reveals, stating how the film is a slick cat-and-mouse game and will show some of the technologies and know-how used by the cops. The chase between the cops and my character is something very exciting.