Vinay Rajkumar, who has done a really good job of getting such roles and being creative and adventurous with his stories, and experimenting with different places and stories with Gramayana. So far, he is the most versatile actor of the Kannada film Gramayana and has been able to make it a story we can expect to learn from, and it will be a movie based on that. Directed by Devanuru Chandru and produced under the banner of Lahari Films, it is an authentic look at rural Karnataka and a true story of village life, which is simple, community, and the deep feelings and emotions in which people live. With Megha Shetty as the female lead in the film, Gramayana will be a real life in a movie, with a real-life and genuine feel.
Vinay also spoke on the film and said that what led him to take up the project was director Devanuru Chandru's brilliant planning and creative vision.
When Chandru sir told the story, he was prepared, and when Chandru sir narrated it, he was completely prepared; he had a bound script, photos of the shooting locations, costumes, and even poster designs. His dedication and confidence struck me instantly," Vinay said.
The actor, however, said the movie also allowed him to put himself into a genre he had never gone into before.
"Until then, I had never done a movie that was very much rural. The freshness of the story and the emotional depth made me say yes."
Preparing for a Rural Character
Vinay spent time in Devanuru village to immerse himself in the local culture and to observe everyday life.
"The dialect spoken there is quite different from standard Kannada. I spent a lot of time learning the local slang so it would sound natural on screen," he said.
Vinay focused on understanding the emotional aspects of his job beyond language.
"My character is innocent and reacts instinctively without overthinking. Bringing that simplicity to the screen required mental preparation more than anything else."
The actor believes that spending time with villagers helped him better understand the nuances of the character and strengthened his performance.
More than just a Rural Drama
For Vinay, Gramayana isn’t just another film; it is an experience that celebrates Karnataka’s rural heritage.
"This is an authentic Kannada story with the beauty of village life. The music is great and all the actors, including Megha Shetty, Aparna and Gopalakrishna Deshpande who have performed really well. Chandru sir has translated the story perfectly onto the screen."
"We have good, emotional storytelling, beautiful music, and beautiful images that convey the essence of Karnataka’s villages," the film says.
An Eight-Year Journey
Gramayana has a long journey to the silver screen. The project was started over 8 years ago, but was delayed by production and technical challenges.
Instead of rushing the project, we have revisited the movie over the past two years and reworked and reshot parts to make sure it is up to their creative standards.
"It’s a brand new film for me. Every filmmaker wants you to watch a film if it’s their vision. Its release is a huge relief and a very happy moment for all of us," Vinay said.
Inspired by Puneeth Rajkumar
Vinay also credits his late uncle, Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar, for helping shape his view on cinema.
"Appu uncle encouraged me to watch not only Kannada films but world cinema as well. It inspired me to look at different forms of storytelling and to choose meaningful stories rather than just one style."
He said Puneeth Rajkumar’s influence is still the reason why he chose to pursue his career, and many of his career choices are based on a deep sense of responsibility to pursue challenging and unique roles.
Looking Ahead
When Gramayana is due to be released in the Kannada cinema industry, there are high expectations on the part of Kannada cinema lovers. The rural setting of the movie, a good story, and emotional performances make it more than a rural drama, but a must-watch movie for all generations of Kannada cinema lovers as well.
Gramayana is not just another project for Vinay Rajkumar; it’s a celebration of Karnataka’s rural soul, it’s also a tribute to the meaning of meaningful storytelling, and another step towards his path of film creation as an actor who is committed to bringing stories of diverse and inspiring stories to the screen.
