I was off the screen for three years; I have no regrets: Suraj Gowda
Suraj Gowda
took a three-year break from the big screen. That hiatus ends with his upcoming romantic thriller, by Gururaj Kulkarni, in which he stars opposite
Sharanya Shetty
.
It was the strength of the screenplay, he says, that clinched the deal.
'CHOOSING TO STAY REAL IN A WORLD OF GLAMOUR'
'In those three years away from celluloid, I kept reminding myself to stay grounded. As actors, we have a responsibility to portray the raw and real side of life—not just its glitzy surface. Until you become a star, staying afloat isn't always easy. Work doesn't always come as often as you'd like, and there were moments I wondered if the wait would go on forever.
But it's important to snap out of such thoughts and stay rooted in reality.
To keep my spirits high, I began writing scripts for my directorial and committed to a rigorous fitness routine. Because when you're working out, you have to be fully present— your mind can't wander. That discipline has paid off; this role required me to bulk up, and soon after, I plan to start my next directorial. In the end, it all worked out for the best,' he observes.
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'CHOOSING THE WRONG PROJECT CAN SET YOU BACK SEVERAL STEPS'
The industry has its priorities right—films run on numbers, business, and a winning horse. Until you become someone people are willing to bet on, the key is to keep yourself motivated. I'm not the kind to sulk and ask why no one is picking me. Choosing the wrong project can set you back several steps, so I decided it was better to wait than accept something that wasn't right.
The industry is simply doing what it must—it's up to us to keep pace,' Suraj tells us.
'SU FROM SO IS A MOTIVATION FOR SMALL INVESTORS'
Small films need to win for investors to gain the confidence to back actors who aren't yet stars. Su from So didn't have big names, but it had great content. I'm so glad it will now encourage investors to support smaller films, giving emerging actors the platform to prove their worth. In a climate where the industry is hungry for hits, successful small films are the best motivation. I hope more people step forward to help aspiring actors realise their dreams.
That's my biggest takeaway from my three-year break,' Suraj says.
"Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie
Coolie
and
War 2
."
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