Dhanish Karthik is All Set to Ride the ‘Chef’ Wave to Fame

Dhanish Karthik is All Set to Ride the ‘Chef’ Wave to Fame

  • 06 Oct 2017
  • Sunaya
  • Features

Budding actor, Dhanish Karthik is slowly but surely, making his mark in the film industry

The newly released Bollywood movie, Chef, sees Saif Ali Khan don the role of the eponymous chef along with southern belle, Padmapriya, who plays his divorced wife. The movie, apart from being the Bollywood debut of the beautiful actress, is remarkable to us Malayalis not only because a major portion of it was shot in the scenic Fort Kochi, but also because it sees the Manjeri-born Dhanish Karthik donning a significant role. Having acted in movies such as Daya Bai, and Ivide, he is not unfamiliar to audiences. Here is an interview with the young actor, as he stands on the threshold of success.

When did you realize that acting was your life’s calling?

I remember looking at my 5th grade yearbook and under my photograph I had written "when I grow up, I want to be an actor". So it’s safe to say that I’ve known this is what I wanted to be since childhood.

How has studying acting professionally helped you in becoming better at your craft?

Acting is an art form and therefore just like any other art, it's not something you can ever fully learn. That being said I studied at Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York, which was a great experience. I can easily say that I have learned a great deal more from my current acting coach Shawn Nelson, who has taught Emmy award winning actors. We take weekly classes on Skype and it's an eye opening experience each time. I had been introduced to him via my Hollywood manager Valerie McCaffrey, whom I can easily say is one of my core pillars. She has worked as Vice President of Casting at New Line Cinema for 6 years and before that, worked as Director of Casting at Universal Studios for 8.

You have been acting for a while now, how has the journey been from “Bollywood Romeo” to “Chef”?

From doing Bollywood Romeo, which was a wonderfully written play in New Jersey, to Chef has been a very long process but it is expected that to achieve great things you have to make sacrifices and there will be struggles along the way. I have very high goals set for myself so in short I have a long way to go. The one thing I do try to remember is to enjoy the process, that’s really the whole point.

Describe your acting style.

I consider myself a versatile actor. I can do dramatic scenes as well as comedic, so I wouldn’t say that I have any specific style.

What else have you been working on?

I was in production for Daya Bai (based on a true story) which is another Hindi film directed by Sree Varun Sir and edited by world class film editor Zian Sreekanth Sir.

How was it working with Saif Ali Khan?

He is fantastic to work with! The most memorable part of this shoot for me was when he told the director Raja Krishna Menon Sir about three or four times that he liked my acting. I was so shocked and immensely flattered, especially when Raja sir agreed to this. It was an honour to be appreciated by these two amazing individuals.

What do you think of Malayalam movie industry right now?

Malayalam industry is very well known for its great stories, actors and directors. I believe that with the improvements with technology, and even style of filmmaking, Malayalam cinema is reaching even greater lengths day by day.

Is there any movie that you wish you had acted in? Which is that movie and why?

I have envisioned myself in many movies but I also know that God will only give me the movies I should be in and therefore I don’t wish for things that didn’t happen in the past. I work hard and leave the rest to fate.

Words by: FWD Media     Photographs from: Dhanish Karthik

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