25 years on, Jaggesh is "still the same"

This Ugadi, Jaggesh fans have something very special to look forward to. Eddelu Manjunatha, with Jaggesh as hero, a movie with the trials and tribulations of the common man at its core, will mark his silver jubilee in the Kannada film industry. Twenty five years of acting! “I can’t believe it myself,” remarks Jaggesh with his trademark modesty, during a break in the shooting schedule of his forthcoming film. “You know, time flies without you realizing. Anyway, I feel I haven’t changed one bit over the years, as friends and people who know me will tell you.”

Eddelu Manjunatha is directed by Guruprasad, his second film, after Matta, another Jaggesh special which had a decent run at the box office. Speaking to TWB, Jaggesh exuded confidence about the film. “Guru always gives his 100% and is very hard-working and committed,” he says, preferring not to talk about his role in the film, despite being “excited about it as it was conceptualized and tailor-made for him”.

In real life, Jaggesh has also dabbled in politics. In the previous assembly elections, he contested from Turuvakere constituency on the Congress ticket and lost. He revealed his plans to give it another shot and said this time round, appears to be ready for the battle ahead. “I have been visiting my constituency twice a week and the response from the people is very good,” he said.

Eddelu Manjunatha is being produced under the banner of Sanath Productions, floated by Shankar Rao, Sanath Kumar and Manjunath. It will be a medium budget film with Yagna Shetty as the female lead and Tabla Nani and Jaadu Udaykumar in the cast. Jaggesh plays a character who is very straight-forward and how he suffers in life and eventually prevails on account of it. “It’s a good mixture of clean comedy and family values, and there will be no dishum dishum stunts,” said Guruprasad, the director.

On its prospects at the box office, Guruprasad remarked that he was not at all apprehensive about the financial returns from the film. “I will be happier if it changes the life of two persons for the better,” he remarked.

Guruprasad also brushed aside remarks about the changing trends in the Kannada film industry and averred that “trends and tastes change, but people’s appreciation of family values don’t. “Eddelu Manjunatha will appeal to the family audience,” he said confidently. With of course, the patented Jaggesh brand of humour.