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AJATHASHATHRU
That
Is Shivaramanna
Writeup
by - CNB
Photos by K.M. VEERESH
Date - 09th March 2005
 The
four decades old admirable supporting actor of Kannada
cinema Shivaram – remember his Iyengari role in ‘Nagarahavu’,
Cook in ‘Sharapanjara’ of the yesteryears – is the ‘Ajathashatru’
of filmdom. He is a Good Samaritan in all the activities
whether it is good or bad happenings.
On
the occasion of his 40 years of long stint he has convened
a press meet at his residence. Shivaram is a historian
of Kannada cinema. A god fearing personality is straightforward
in his approach. From ‘Beratha Jeeva’ in 1964 he has
achieved distinction on and off screen in his own right.
In
the one and half an hour chat we had with him we bring
you the highlights:
 40
years 275 films. No satisfaction in the field of cinema
yet. - I
am leading life from the two private channels. Adhe Nanna Badhukigondu
Badhuku.
- I
started stamp collection from 1947 and started clicking photographs
from 1958 and given photographs to newspapers. I have stamps from
the period of pre independence.
- I
have the marbles, Buguri, cigarette packs, match boxes of 1940’s.
- Gramophone
with songs sung by Mallanna, Gubbi Veeranna, Peer Saaheb etc.
- What
you do not get anywhere you find it in my house was what the industry
used to tell.
- I
lived in the vicinities film theatres and theatre troupes. How
can I escape the smell of it?
- Today’s
supporting actors like me they either see end in their daughter’s
marriage or fall sick.
- In
those days I have worked for the welfare of supporting artistes
and collected funds from Rs.50000 to Rs.1 lakh.
- As
an artiste I have introduced artistes. Sometimes I have lost opportunities.
See last year out of 80 films I am not in even a single film.
- If
the industry grows then our life also grows.
- I
have never uttered double meaning dialogues. Not do it in future
also.
- Supporting
artistes are like beggars. They are not choosers.
- When
I worked as assistant director with Bommandi Irani I was paid
Rs.50.
- When
I had no job in Madras. I stood in front of the waves near a beach
and started crying profusely.
- Shivaram
has no loans. When I did ‘Driver Hanumanthu’ I lost properties
to clear the bank loans.
- YNK
and Karnad told me to do take up ‘Byrappa’s ‘Dhoora Saridhavaru’.
I could not make it then. Even today I am interested in directing
that novel.
 For
the Sharapanjara cook role I played, the cook in the
canteen of Akashavani where I worked for one year is
the inspiration. - Without
writing the dialogues ‘Sharapanjara’ was made. Only two scripts
were made. I have one with me. Puttannaji knew my speed.
- Today
the film industry is like Dosai Camps and Darshini hotels.
- We
have no Abhimana to the language immensely. Look at the people
who come here for construction and lying roads. They see their
language films.
- According
to the survey of 1964 the key audiences for films are middle and
lower middle class people. Films are entertaining for them.
- In
those days a Tamil film ‘Dharma Dorai’ was brought here for Rs.4.5
lakhs. Today a Tamil film is coming here with Rs.1.90 crores as
Karnataka rights.
- I
am in all protests and industry related issues. Not in the last
year tiff with non Kannada. The issue is not correct. I told them
to plan properly.
- For
oldies like me they in the industry tell you sit at a corner.
- The
hero of the film should be a story. There is no need to give so
much of attachment to a hero.
- We
are not seeing systematic work. Only money is spent left, right
and center.
- Today
no body is acting. Industry is growing in number of films. That’s
all.
- If
Prasad, Gemini and Chamundeswari studios close then the Kannada
film industry has to be shut. We have not grown with out own infrastructure.
- The
films made with lot of interest are not winning. Casually made
films are clicking at the box office.
- Oh!
Look at what former chamber president S.Ramesh has done to me.
He has put Rs.70000 expenditure on my head. I told him several
times Hema Malini is not required for Cine Expo. He made a disastrous
show.
- The
remnants of that function are at my house. The supporting artistes
are given the old clothes. When it is a remake the original artiste
who wore the dresses land up here.
- ‘Naanu
Sothu Koothiddene’. I am lost completely in my life. From road
they are going straight to the races.
It
is not that easy to get 40 years of glimpses from Shivaramanna in
just one or two hours. It requires a few hours. His life sketch
is fit for a mega television serial.
Chitraloka
aspire for the able supporting actor Shivaramanna long
life, good health and wealth.
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