Shivanna turns jockey for next

For this actor, age just doesn’t seem to matter. Hat-trick hero Shivarajkumar, who recently celebrated 25 years on celluloid, loves playing youthful characters. The actor, who can still pull off the role of a college student (Mylari), is now all set to play a jockey in his next film, Shiva the Lord.
“I’m playing a jockey in Shiva the Lord. But for the character, horse riding is not everything, he’s also the neighbourhood do-gooder.This is a commercial film, but it will have a strong message too,” says Shivanna.
The film also brings Shivarajkumar and director Om Prakash together after 13 years. “We have a history. Our combination has had box office success with AK-47, and now that we are working together again, we are hoping to recreate that magic,” he adds.
Shivanna has already started preparing for the film. The actor intends to meet professional jockeys to help him get into character “I can ride a horse, but in this film, I play a professional jockey. There’s a certain poise and body language that I need to exude while atop a horse. Interacting with actual riders will help me portray my role better,” says Shivanna.
Meanwhile, with Mylari’s success at the BO, the actor has decided to work only on pucca commercial films that will ensure returns. “I want to have more hits like Mylari. I don’t want to take up non-commercial projects anymore, given that Thamasu, one of my favourite films, didn’t fare well at the BO. I was quite upset with the result. I had a similar experience with Chaitrada Chiguru, which was based on a novel. Though appreciated by critics, audiences did not accept it,” he says.
But with an increasing number of newbies making their mark in Sandalwood, is he worried about the growing competition? “I know, there’s stiff competition. I do appreciate the younger lot, as they bring in new talent and a certain freshness to the industry. Working on par with them is not an easy job,” says Shivanna, taking the example of his own brother, Puneet Rajkumar’s film that he had to compete with. “Puneet’s films normally do good business. Mylari was released around the same time that his film Jackie was released. Initially I was scared. But I had hope too,” he says.
Is it also true that the actor has been signing up with directors of no known standing? “I don’t mind giving call-sheets to directors who’ve only delivered flops. All that matters to me is the story. If I am given a great script, I will sign on the film,” says Shivanna, who’s busy winding up Jogayya and Lakshmi.
And once he’s done with Shiva the Lord, the actor is set to head to Paris. Is he flying there due to medical reasons, as has been reported? “No, I’m going on a holiday with my family, I don’t have health issues that need to be sorted out there.” he signs off.
Contributed by Mahesh H