Toby actor Raj B Shetty says that there is a dearth of quality writers in the Kannada film industry

The Kannada industry is, perhaps, among the few where directors are also writers, who work on their own scripts, unlike, say, in Mollywood, where there are dedicated script witers, whose works are picked up by different filmmakers, says Ondu Motteya Kathe and Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana maker Raj B Shetty. In a conversation with Vijayavani, the actor-filmmaker, who is preparing for the release of his next, Toby, which he has written, produced and acted in, spoke about the death of quality writers in the Kannada industry, highlighting how, even in his team of nearly 30 people, he is still the only one who can write a script from start to finish.

Citing the examples of writers like Syam Pushkaran or Hareesh S, Raj said that when they write 2-3 scripts in a year, it ensures that the industry gets at least six good films. The Kannada industry, he reckons, does not have such writers, as a result of which, good films are not being made. This dearth in quality writers, he adds, is also because the industry does not recognize and nurture such talent. Raj put forth his own example, when he wrote a script for a friend, at the end of which, he was paid a measly Rs 25,000. The actor-filmmaker says that a decent writer, who may also be holding a corporate job, will not leave that behind and pursue his true passion for such measly amounts. What also happens is that producers and directors tend to take away the complete intellectual property rights from the writer, ensuring that he does not benefit from any future use of the story, say, for example, for a remake. According to Raj, the industry pays no respect to writers, which is a sad state of affairs.

Raj, meanwhile, is currently preparing for the release of Toby, which will be in theatres on August 25. The film, directed by his associate Basil Alchakkal, also stars Gopalkrishna Deshpande, Samyukta Hornad and Chaithra Achar in pivotal roles.