Diganth: India is becoming one in terms of content that is being watched

Diganth Manchale is among the more popular stars in the Kannada film industry. While he has starred in the Bollywood film Wedding Pullav in 2016, it’s his role as Ram in Kunal Kohli’s Ramyug that could catapult him to national fame. While the web series, which began streaming on MX Player from May 7, is a contemporary retelling of Ramayana, for the Kannada star it was an opportunity too good to miss, he says.

With Karnataka in lockdown due to the second wave of COVID-19, Diganth is currently at a farm in Agumbe in the Western Ghats, near his hometown in Thirthahalli. “It’s probably the safest place to be right now,” he says, as OTTplay caught up with him over a telephonic conversation about Ramyug, how he sees OTT platforms helping regional actors and more.

What prompted you to take up the role of Ram in Kunal Kohli’s Ramyug?

I couldn’t have said no to playing Ram. Ram and Hanuman were my childhood superheroes. Plus, I have admired Kunal’s movies such as Hum Tum and Fanaa. So, when I got this opportunity, it was an easy decision.

But were there any apprehensions before taking up the role, especially because people still remember Ramanand Sagar’s 1987 Ramayan series, which was re-telecast last year?

We did have apprehensions because the Doordarshan series did the set bar really high. Honestly, I have been a fan of that show. But growing up, even after having watched the series, whenever there used to be a Yakshagana (Karnataka folk theatre) performance of Ramayana, we would still watch it and enjoy it. That’s what we were trying to do with Ramyug as well – present a varied and a better setting for the audience with different visual effects, soundtracks and camera angles.

What were the challenges playing Ram – physically and otherwise?

Physically, there weren’t any because Kunal wanted somebody with an athletic physique and not someone who has been hitting the gym. But the language was a challenge. It wasn’t ‘shuddh’ Hindi either; it was Hindi mixed with Sanskrit and delivering the lines was tough. It was the same for my Hindi-speaking co-stars too.

With the advent of OTT, a lot of films in regional languages are being watched by people across the country. How do you see that helping regional actors?

In the past year, I have watched a lot of shows on OTTs that feature actors from across the country including Karnataka. So, it’s not just Bollywood anymore. India is becoming one in terms of content that is being watched. That’s also one of the reasons why Kunal wanted actors from across India to star in Ramyug.

What are your upcoming projects?

I have got five films lined up but the release dates are pushed indefinitely because of the pandemic. I have Gaalipata 2, which is a much-awaited film because the team is coming back together for the sequel. We have almost completed shooting for that. (Actress and wife) Aindrita (Ray) and I have teamed up after years for a movie called Kshamisi, Nimma Khatheyalli Hanavilla. It’s set in a small town and has a wonderful story. We have completed shooting for it and it might be an OTT release.

Considering the pandemic situation, are you open to OTT releases now more than ever?

Definitely. I don’t mind if my films don’t get a grand release in theatres. I have always been open to OTT releases.