Dayal Padmanabhan is a writer, director, producer, actor and executive producer. He has made a big name for himself in Sandalwood without any film connections. Sharing his experience to NewsKarnataka.com, he speaks about the journey from his school days to his current directorial venture ‘Satya Harishchandra’

Tell us about your early life?

I am from Villupuram town in Pondicherry. I spent my childhood there. I was born in a lower middle class family. I lost my father when I was six. He was working in the Electricity Board. After his death, my mother was given the job. I have two siblings. We were raised by our mother single handedly. She gave us education. I did my diploma in Civil Engineering and at a very young age I was a central government employee. I worked as a Junior Scientific Assistant in Indian Institute of Science. I also did my engineering in BMS Evening College. I was married at a young age. My wife is from Bengaluru. I have two children. My daughter is a journalist and my son is doing his engineering.

You worked in Indian Institute of Science for 15 years? What made you join films?

I was always interested in films. I was a huge fan of popular Tamil and Kannada actor Murali. I also looked a bit similar to him. I wanted to be an actor like him. I used to participate in cultural programmes in school. My Tamil teacher Ramunujam encouraged me a lot to act. I was also interested in reading books. Most of Tamil literature are translated from Kannada literature. I stared reading the translated novels of Girish Karnad and Ananthmurthy. All this made me interested in writing also. However, as I was married and had a secure job, I could not leave job. I thought that working as writer will help me to balance both my passion and job. This way I started to write for films.

Did you plan to become a director?

No. I did not plan to become a director. I used to visualise scenes while writing. Upendra and Hamsalekha encouraged me to become director. I worked as an assistant director to popular Tamil director Naga. I made by debut as director with ‘Ok Saar Ok’.

As a director you made commercial films initially. However from past few years, we have seen you shift towards experimental films. What is the reason for this change?

I believe in giving good entertaining films. After directing ‘Circus, I did not get good producer for making commercial films. I was given a particular budget to finish a particular film. i did not prefer to work with this type of budget constraint. However I had to be in the industry, so I decided to make experimental and sensible films which required low budget. Films like ‘Yograt But’, ‘Haggada Kone’ and ‘Actor’ were the result of this. I consider ‘Circus’ as my last full fledged commercial film. However, I am coming back into commercial entertainers with ‘Satya Harischandra’. I feel priviliged to work with passionate producer like K Manju in my next film.

Which do you consider as your best film as director?

I consider ‘Circus’ as my best commercial film as director. Even though the film was not a big hit, I consider it as my best. In experimental films, I consider ‘Actor’ as my best film. The film gave me immense satisfaction.

Your collaboration with Naveen Krishna is considered one of your best? What do you have to say regarding this?

Naveen Krishna is one of the best and sensible actor in Indian Cinema Industry. However, it is unfortunate that he has still not received his due. But I am sure he will become a big star one day. In film industry, it takes time for an actor to gain stardum. Vikram, who is a popular star now struggled for fifteen years before making it big. I am sure Naveen Krishna will make it in top league of actors soon. I share a comfortable relationship with him. We also work together in script level. So we understand each other very well. We have many similarities with each other. We both love films and are passionate towards films. He is always there for me. I love working with him.

Your film ‘Toss’ has been in making since long time. However, there has been no news of the film?

‘Toss’ was initially titled as ‘Ondu Rupayiyalli Yeradu Preethi’. The film had Vijay Raghavendra and Sandeep Reddy as heroes. The film was produced by Sandeep Reddy’s father. However, the producer had some family problems, resulting in the film being stalled. I along with my friend Avinash Shetty recently took over the project as producers. The film is complete now and I am planning to release the film in November.

What do you have to say regarding Kannada films at present?

Content based films are doing well. It’s a great trend. Content should always be the king. I have always believed in that. The sensibilities of audience have also changed over a period of time. I also tried to do many experiments in my initial days as director. However, they did not yield the desired result as these films were way ahead of time. This is the best time for filmmakers in industry. If ‘Haggada Kone’ was released a decade back, I do not think it would have made the same impact it made today.

You were one of the first celebrity to speak about Minimum Ticket Pricing? What is the status now?

The ticket prices of films in Karnataka is too high. The multiplexes logic saying that due to high rentals, the tickets are charged high, is wrong. Even in other cities, the rental is very high. However, the ticket rates are very cheap compared to that of Karnataka. I feel minimum ticket pricing is a must as it will help Kannada films immensely. I represented KFCC and gave a presentation of how minimum ticket pricing will help Kannada film industry to state government. Rajendra Singh Babu, who is also the chairman of Karnataka Chalanchitra Academy has also mentioned about this in Film Policy. It is one of the major points in the film policy. We are expecting the film policy to be passed by government in next three months. I am confident that minimum ticket pricing will be in Karnataka soon.

How was the response for Minimum Ticket Pricing from the industry?

The industry supported me wholeheartedly. Except for a few producers, who are not thinking of long term benefits of industry, almost all have supported minimum ticket pricing.

How do you think can we increase Kannada films market range?

The film should be promoted well. I see many producers playing safe game. They are happy with minimum profit. They should promote the film even after it releases. If they spend few lakhs more in promotion, they can earn in crores. Ofcourse only marketing will not help. It should be backed by excellent content.

You worked as executive producer for ‘Santhu Straight Forward’ What do you have to say regarding the film?

I am a freelancer executive producer. K Manju believed that I am the best person for the job. I am also comfortable working on his production house. The film has come out really well. Yash and Radhika Pandit’s combination will surely be loved by audience. I am sure that it will become a big hit as ‘Mr & Mrs Ramachari’.

When can we expect ‘Santhu Straight Forward’ to release?

The shooting of the film is almost done. I think they will release the film by October end.

You are working with Sharan in ‘Satya Harishchandra’? Tell us about the film?

I am making a commercial film after a long time. I am thankful to K Manju and Sharan for this. ‘Satya Harishchandra’ is a comic entertainer, which will be loved by each and everyone. The film also has Sanchitha Padukone, Bhavana and Chikanna in pivotal roles. I am planning to release the film on January 26, 2017.

What do you have to say regarding your journey in film industry?

It has been great. I had never planned anything. I was guided by right people that I am in this position now. I want to make good films. Whenever any person speaks about Kannada film industry in future, I hope my name is mentioned in it.

Dayal Padmanabhan is one of the few directors who have found success with critical as well as commercial films in Sandalwood. NewsKarnataka.com wishes him all the best for his future films.