My mantra is to stay in the game; big films or small films don’t matter: Poornachandra

When I look back on my journey, I feel a sense of pride. Coming from a theatre background, I had promised myself that if I ever entered cinema, it would give me the same high as performing on stage. A decade later, I can say that feeling has never left me,” says Poornachandra Mysore. The actor, who started with a small part in Pawan Kumar’s Lucia in 2013, has since drawn acclaim for his performances in films like Popcorn Monkey Tiger, Badava Rascal, Orchestra Mysuru, Daredevil Mustafa, and Maryadhe Prashne. “I have Ekka and another yet-to-be-announced film. As an actor, the rule I’ve set for myself is to always be in the game,” shares Poornachandra. Excerpts:
‘ONE CAN’T SIT AT HOME WAITING FOR A BIG PROJECT TO ARRIVE TO CATAPULT YOU TO FAME’
“As an actor, it’s important to be in circulation and go with the flow. You can’t just sit around hoping that a biggie will land in your lap. The process of landing that dream project often involves working in films that appeal to your |aesthetic as an artiste. I can’t afford to lose out on meaningful small or medium-budget films by placing blind faith in the arrival of a huge film. Reading, watching, and studying cinema is also part of this process,” he states.
‘EVERY ROLE HAS ITS OWN IMPORTANCE’
Drawing from his experience in both film and theatre, Poornachandra challenges the conventional notion of leading versus supporting roles. “It’s only in films that we talk about heroes, villains, and supporting actors. In theatre, this concept doesn’t exist. Every role has its ghanathey – its own weight and importance. Like a garland, where each flower matters, every character contributes to the whole. I believe films are no different,” he points out. “Actors like Prakash Raj, Rangayana Raghu, and Irrfan have proven this time and again. Whether playing leads or supporting roles, they’ve excelled. It’s a formula I follow as well. I’ve done both lead and character roles, but I’ve never felt insecure. My motive is to show the audience that I can pull off any kind of role,” he states.
‘STARDOM BRINGS JOY, AND SO DOES VERSATILITY’
“I’ve found joy in every role I’ve played because I’ve never repeated myself. I’m especially excited about my part in Ekka. When my group is making films — be it Dhananjaya, Shashank, Yogiraj, or Nagabhushan — I simply tell them, ‘I want a good role,’ and they’ve always entrusted me with memorable characters. Ultimately, if the soul of the film is intact, everyone wins. And that’s what I always root for — as an actor,” says Poornachandra.