Meaningful cinema isn’t just for ‘art house’ audiences; it’s for everyone: Natesh Hegde

Natesh Hegde, filmmaker and actor behind Pedro and Vagachipani, says he’s committed to making meaningful cinema. The filmmaker credits much of his inspiration to the iconic Kannada writer K P Poornachandra Tejaswi. “Tejaswi’s work didn’t just reflect the place; it embodied its soul. That’s the energy I try to bring into my films, too,” Natesh tells us. His upcoming project, Kurka, continues in that vein. “The film, co-starring Vijay Raghavendra and directed by Ganesh Hegde of Neeli Hakki fame, has been shot in Uttar Karnataka — a region both Ganesh and I hail from. The terrain you’ll see in the film is unlike what most associate with the area. It’s a bit like what Rakshit Shetty did with Udupi in his films — it’s rather unique,” shares Natesh, who also served as editor on the film. Excerpts from a chat:
‘FILMS THRIVE CRITICALLY AND COMMERCIALLY ABROAD AFTER FESTIVALS; WHY NOT IN INDIA?’ Reflecting on the industry’s often rigid categorisation of films, Natesh says, “I’ve travelled to many festivals around the world, and it’s only in India that we segregate cinema as either ‘festival films’ or ‘commercial films.’ I’ve seen films that screened at international festivals perform brilliantly in their home countries — both critically and commercially. But in India, the moment a film plays at a festival, it’s immediately labelled as ‘art house.’ That label creates an unnecessary divide, that meaningful cinema isn’t meant for everyone, and that’s not true.”
‘FESTIVAL EXPOSURE IS NOT JUST ABOUT PRESTIGE’
Natesh emphasises that international screenings offer much more than accolades. “Global exposure helps attract distributors and allows indie filmmakers to recover costs and sustain their craft. With Kurka, Ganesh, and I are working toward a theatrical release. Just because a film is atmospheric and experiential doesn’t mean it lacks intensity or emotion. Even fast-paced, algorithm-driven content tries to create mood — so why draw boundaries?” he asks.


‘AS AN ARTISTE, I FOLLOW THE STORY, NOT THE LABEL’
Natesh says, “As a filmmaker, I’m committed to telling stories that reflect my voice and sensibility. As an actor, my only question is — does this story resonate with me? I don’t care if it’s regional, experimental, or mainstream,” he avers. Natesh recently appeared in the Malayalam film Rifle Club, and has an upcoming Bollywood project with Anurag Kashyap. “I’ve been approached for a satirical comedy and a love story set in the world of crime. I’m excited — these are new territories for me.”
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