Amidst much fan-fare at the Bangalore International Film festival held here last week, one highly anticipated movie got the much deserved credit and applause from fans and critics alike, Devara Nadalli, a Kannada film directed by B. Suresh. Pranav Vishwanath, a student of Journalism and Mass Communication from Dayananda Sagar University, has essayed an important role with negative shades in this film. In the middle of the post-promotional engagements, Subramanya Prasad caught up with him for a short tete-a- tete. Here are a few important excerpts from the interview.

• How did you get into the project?
  I was invited for an audition being organized by one of my acquaintances. I attended it and was selected there.
• What is Devara Nadalli film all about?
  It is a political thriller. It is inspired by an article published in The Times of India in 1993. Director B. Suresha wrote the story based on this incident. The story based in coastal Karnataka region inspired him. And primary characters were performed by Prakash Rai, Achyuth Kumar, Mandya Ramesh and Manju Bhashni. Then some Ninasam students also pitched in.
• Can you describe your role in the film? And how important is your role?
  I play the role of the student Ramchandra Bhatta. It is very contemporary character with negative shades, set in current political circumstances. Therefore, it is a very important role and I feel very lucky to get this role in my debut film.
• How was it working with Prakash Raj?
  Sharing screen with Prakash raj made me extremely happy in my debut film. I didn’t know that he is acting in this film. Once I came to know that he is acting in this film, I was little scared and also happy. But he was very encouraging and good to all the co-artistes.
• B.Suresha is the national award winner, was it difficult to work with him like a new comer like you?
  B. Suresha has directed four films and produced many films. His last film got national award from the President of India. I was wondering how I could get into this movie because I was still an amateur. To share screen space with veterans like Praksah Rai, Achyut kumar and Mandya Ramesh etc. was a daunting prospect. But some of my friends on the sets and veteran actors encouraged me a lot. Director Suresha himself enacted some scenes and showed me. He knows what exactly he wants. So it was easier for me. I never felt that I was isolated from the team.