Daali Dhananjaya on Reuniting With Shiva Rajkumar and Producing: 'I Earn Here, Invest Here'

Kannada actor-producer Daali Dhananjaya has always wanted to be an actor. The producer credit was a by-product of that passion, he tells The Hollywood Reporter India in an interview. "I started my production house to produce my own films. If you know my journey, I come from no background," he says. But somewhere along the way, his banner, Daali Pictures (he has produced and presented successful films such as Tagaru Palya (2024) and Daredevil Mustafa (2023), urged him to back good stories that don’t necessarily feature him at the forefront. In this free-flowing conversation, the actor speaks about reuniting with Shiva Rajkumar for Hemanth M Rao's 666 Operation Dream Theatre, his upcoming production JC The University, and why eating habits are always a personal choice.

Tell us about your journey with production

I started my production house to produce my own films. If you know my journey, I come from no background. I worked with many directors before one of my negative roles finally worked in Shivanna's [Shiva Rajkumar] Tagaru (2018). After that, I'd only get negative roles, and they were not upto my potential. So I started my production house for survival and made films such as Badva Rascal (2022) and Head Push (2022). In the process, I heard the story of Tagaru Palya (2023) with fresh faces. That became a hit, and I realised it was important to tell good stories.

How does 'JC The University' align with that vision?

The Kannada industry has more space for new entrants today. I can't act in all films, but stories need to be told. When I met Prakhyath (actor) and director Chetan Jayaram, I was impressed with how they conceived the story. JC means judicial custody and the central jail in underworld lingo. The jail has to be a place of transformation, but for a lot of them, it's a hostel where one progresses to becoming a bigger criminal. The director knew the world very well.

You've spoken about how you're aiming to introduce ten new filmmakers in Kannada by the end of this year. Can you talk to us about the risks that accompany the job?

I have presented and distributed a few films, and along with the produced films, we've already introduced seven, and three are in production. It is definitely a risk and a challenge. Cinema has money, and there is good business here. There's risk in every business. But this is the only business I know, so I'm trying my best to make it work. Among the films I have produced and presented, Vidyapathi failed to reach audiences. I don't have any other source of income. I earn here and invest here, so I always believe in good talent.

How do you see the Kannada film industry today?

It is definitely looking promising. Now, we have to make films for the theatre. In the middle, we were doing films for streaming, but we cannot depend on OTT today. The film has to work in theatres. Films have proved that they can be a good business if we position them properly. There are examples like Kantara and Su from So. As an industry, we must be consistent. All production houses must consistently make good films so that audiences will be in touch with the cinemas.

Are audiences willing to accept new talent today?

I'm a little scared when it comes to that because they should give space to newcomers. As an industry, we can't sustain otherwise. We're in a bad state if we're not accepting of newcomers. There should be more acceptance. It's high risk, but we have to try. Big production houses have to do small films.

You will next be seen in '666 Operation Dream Theatre'. The film looks very 70s-coded and incredibly fresh.

It's shaping up very well. By the end of this schedule in February, we'll complete 60 per cent of the shoot. Hemanth is passionate and is a great film student. As an actor, I'm getting good scope to perform. I'm very happy. This will be a very new type of film and an amazing experience in the theatre. There will be no reference for the film, as it's a very new world.

What was it like reuniting with Shiva Rajkumar on screen?

Shivanna and I go a long way. After Tagaru, this is the third film we're working on together. He's always been my favourite, and it was through his film that I got a break. He has always stood with me. He's very big at heart. I love him, and it's always great to work with him.

You had recently responded to some backlash about a video that saw you eat a non-vegetarian dish, emphasising how eating choices are personal. How important was it for you to put out the message?

It's a simple thing to understand. I'm not sure how the topic became viral. It's good that people spoke about it. We have to respect people's personal choices and eating habits. I had written a song in my film Tagaru Palya, where the line goes something like "you like one food, I like one food, my taste is mine, and your taste is yours." And that both are good.