You’re watching Nenu Local and just before the interval, a fiery cop walks in and bashes the bad guys, prompting the audience to break into loud whistles. The actor who plays the character is none other than Naveen Chandra, who has impressed film buffs with his towering screen presence and drastic transformation.
The Ballari boy is being showered with incessant compliments for re-inventing himself in in his latest Telugu film. Strike a conversation with Naveen and the first thing you will notice is his fondness for Kannada.
“I was brought up in Ballari. My father was a head mechanic at KSRTC. Unfortunately, he passed away and my brother took up the KSRTC job.” Being a dance enthusiast, he took to teaching dance to take care of his family.
“But I was passionate about acting and one fine day, I boarded a train to Hyderabad. I didn’t know anyone in the industry. It took me eight years to bag a role!” says the actor, of his initial struggle, adding, “A lightman noticed me and asked me for my photograph. After a few months, I got a call to audition for a Tamil film.” Although the movie didn’t release, Naveen generously gave his remuneration to the lightman who gave him his first break.
Post this, the artiste started to sport a bearded look, which became well-known when he bagged Andala Rakshasi, a Telugu film that catapulted him to fame. “But after a few flicks, I was being offered only roles that required me to sport the unshaven look. However, when I was offered a police officer’s role in Nenu Local, I was thrilled. I aspired to be a cop when I was in school,” he smiles.
In order to fit into the role, Naveen trained for a month-and-a-half. He even opted for a clean shaven look after a long time. “My family finally saw my whole face after 10 years, actor Nani (the film’s lead) couldn’t recognise me instantly. He was surprised by my transformation and encouraged me,” he reveals.
As someone who speaks, reads and writes, Kannada, the actor, who keeps himself updated with Sandalwood cinema, says, “I’ll definitely do a Kannada film if I’m offered a good role. I love the language.”
Ask him what he misses most about the town he grew up in and he replies, “The oggarane mirchi. Also, the people in Ballari are extremely supportive of me — whenever my movie releases, they celebrate and show unconditional love.”
As for Bengaluru, where he worked for two years previously, he says, “I visit Brigade Road to reminisce my time in the city. I even visit Koramangala and BTM to regenerate some good energy — I don’t want to forget where I came from. I’ve travelled to so many places, but none are as cool as Namma Bengaluru!”
