Lucky to play challenging roles: Ananth Nag

At 67, Ananth Nag is one of the most sought-after actors in the

Kannada

film industry, having featured in eight films last year, and in three releases already this year. The veteran actor has not shied away from doing experimental films, and has even tried different looks in some of this recent movies. As he gears up for the release of his next film

Re

, which sees him reunite with his Beladingala Baale director Sunil Kumar Desai after over 20 years, he speaks to us about this film and more. Excerpts' Playing a mysterious character I play a mysterious character in the movie. My character, along with some others, represents the past, and Ramesh Aravind and the female lead characters represent the present. The movie is about how the past and present meet, and who the medium is. Re' The movie is thematically similar to a play that I had enacted 40-45 years ago ' Badal Sircar's Ballabpurer Roopkatha. It is a humorous subject, with love at the centre. But the film is different, as those watching it have to go along with the narrative; there is a demand on the audience to participate in the film. Although it is an entertainer, the film also has serious messages about our heritage, rebirth, Adi Shankara's philosophy, religion, culture and more. Working with Sunil Kumar Desai I have done three films with Sunil Kumar Desai, and my brother, the late actor Shankar Nag, had also worked with him. He has always been very different and one can expect something new from him in each of his films. When he first approached me for this film, I was hesitant, as being an experimental film, I didn't want him to incur any loses. I was never worried about his capacity as director or his intellect, only about the financial aspect as experimental films are not easily accepted by the audience. Reuniting with old friends I don't have many scenes with Ramesh Bhat in this movie, but it was wonderful being back on the set with him and other veteran actors like Lokanath, GK Govinda Rao and S Shivaram. All of us have worked together so much in the past that it was like a huge get-together, along with the newer actors. It was a lot of fun on the set, as everyone was vying with each other to give their best. Showing off my versatility I have been lucky that I have always been offered different and challenging roles, which have been accepted by the audience. Even now, when I do supporting roles, I have been approached for varied roles, and while some have worked, others have not. I welcome this variety, since, ultimately, an actor wants to show his versatility. Having said that, I don't aspire to roles ' I will accept a role if something different if offered to me.