Actor Dheekshith Shetty started his career in 2016. After doing a couple of Kannada serials, he went on to make a feature film debut with 'Dia' in 2020. The Kannada movie fetched him critical acclaim. 'Mugguru Monagallu' and 'The Rose Villa' are his two Telugu feature film releases so far. Last year, he was seen in 'Meet Cute', the OTT release.
In this interview, Dheekshith talks about his first big-ticket project: 'Dasara', which hits the cinemas on March 30. Working with Nani and Keerthy Suresh is a special experience, he suggests. Catch him speak about his role, his upcoming movies and more.
The Co-director of 'Dasara' worked with me on the SonyLIV anthology 'Meet Cute'. It was he who felt I should play the hero's friend role in 'Dasara'. I was called for an audition and that's how I bagged a role. I play Nani sir's close friend in the movie. It's a full-fledged role. I can't divulge much about the story and plot turns. It will be better if the audience find it by watching the movie.
'Dasara' presents a new setting. I enjoyed playing the key character. I enjoyed speaking in the Telangana dialect, the mannerisms, and the body language that was expected of me. Director Srikanth Odela had a structure in his mind regarding how I should look and behave. And he extracted the same. Soori is the name of my character. This is a commercial film with a complete package of emotions. There is no specific timeframe as to when the story is taking place. It's some time in the past.
There was so much to learn from Nani garu while working on the big-canvas movie. Behind the beautiful output, the efforts of hundreds of crew members and extras are there. He is a natural when it comes to acting. Not even on a single day was he late to set. Every single person on set was on time. Because he is always punctual, everyone else is punctual. He is a star for a reason.
Director Srikanth Odela is a first-timer who always lets his artists figure out improvisation as long as the suggestions are within the parameters of the character. He is a clear-mined director.
I watched Keerthy Suresh for the first time in 'Mahanati' (2018). At that time, I never imagined that I will one day share screen space with her. She is a humble co-star. Music director Santhosh Narayanan sir has ensured superb songs with attention to detail.
Although Kannada is my mother tongue, I am fairly fluent in Telugu. I feel I have to learn the language if I am working in that language. While on set and at the dubbing stage, I looked for validation from my director at every turn.
I will forever be thankful to the production house (Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas) for onboarding me for a big-ticket Telugu film. They believed in the judgement and confidence of their director and co-director.
A film will automatically become pan-Indian if everyone likes it. I have high gratitude that I have got to do 'Dasara'. True success for an artist is when he bags more offers after the release of a film/web show.
My Kannada films 'Blink' and 'KTM' are up for theatrical release. The former is a sci-fi movie. I prefer not to repeat genres. I want to do something different every time. I have to enjoy the process of acting in a film.
Language barriers have been blurred by films like 'KGF', 'RRR', 'Pushpa' and other pan-India movies. People from other languages have watched my Kannada films like 'Dia'. They are familiar with my face.
As an actor, you have to be a package. The producer invests so much in you. That's why I practice dancing to hone my skills.
