Stepping into Tulu cinema feels like rediscovering a part of myself: Vasishta Simha

Actor Vasishta Simha is stepping into Tulu cinema for the very first time, in a role that the actor calls “packed with a punch.” For Vasishta, though, this role is more than just a professional milestone — it’s deeply personal. “Stepping into a Tulu film felt special right away. It brought back happy memories of carefree summer holidays with my aunt and cousins in Mangaluru, so saying yes was a no-brainer. The film is being helmed by directors Siddharth and Jishnu and is titled Kajjaa. I have many friends in the team, and it’s a cameo that I liked playing,” shares Vasishta. Excerpts from a chat:‘AS ARTISTES, WE ARE CONSTANTLY STRIVING TO EVOLVE AND GROW’ When an opportunity presents itself in another language or industry, what’s the harm in embracing it? An artiste’s loyalty should not be questioned simply because they choose to expand their reach. Those who truly belong to a language or region carry deep respect for their roots. It’s only when someone forgets where they came from that criticism holds weight, not when they explore new creative grounds. Let’s also face reality: if there were enough opportunities in one’s home industry, why would anyone look elsewhere? It’s not disloyalty; it’s seeking growth.‘YOU CANNOT RELY ON A-LIST STARS TO DRIVE THE INDUSTRY FORWARD’The film industry is going through more than just a bad phase — it’s a clear dip. To revive it, we need a collective, structural effort from producers, directors, and actors. We’ve fallen into the trap of believing only larger-than-life films led by top stars can bring in revenue. But what happens to the rest of the talent? Are we suggesting that only five people are capable of sustaining an entire industry? Even if these five stars release one film each over five months, what fuels the theatres for the other seven months? Where is the next rung of dependable actors? How easily we brand actors as “avnige market illa” (He doesn’t have a market) or “avanige idu suit agalla” (It won’t suit him) and not even consider them for projects. It’s time we rethink our ecosystem, support mid-tier films, give strong scripts a chance, and stop placing the entire weight of the industry on a handful of shoulders. There are many important questions to address if we have to keep the show running