Bengaluru-based actor Balaji Manohar has been busy shooting for his Bollywood film, one in which he plays a key character in Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer Chhava, which is being directed by Laxman Utekar. “My last Hindi film was Iqbal, which was released many years ago; and then I assisted director Nagesh Kukunoor on Dor. I starred in two web series and these assignments must have registered my name,” he says.
This film marks Balaji’s first big Bollywood project and the fact that it’s a biopic on Maratha King Chhatrapathi Sambhaji Mahaharaj, the son of Shivaji Maharaj, has him excited. “I’m also the only other South Indian actor other than Rashmika on set,” he tells us.
‘Language, no bar for talent’
“Bollywood has become more open to casting actors from around the country, especially the South. Thanks to our films which did well, Bollywood now looks forward to working with more actors from Karnataka. You don’t have to know the language to be cast in a film. They are familiar with us and social media has made it possible to access our work,” he says.