Karthik Mahesh Embraces Experimentation, From National Award Winner to Villainous Roles
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A rising star in Kannada cinema, Karthik Mahesh is charting a bold new course, moving beyond critical acclaim to explore diverse characters and navigate the evolving landscape of Indian entertainment.
Karthik Mahesh, fresh off the success of his National Award-winning film Dollu, is embarking on a period of significant artistic exploration. The actor, also known for his victory on Bigg Boss Kannada, is poised to take on a comedy, a large-scale commercial entertainer, and, notably, a negative role in his upcoming project, Alpha. In a recent conversation, Mahesh discussed his passion for complex characters, his perspective on the recent controversy surrounding Bigg Boss Kannada, and the show’s impact on his career.
‘Reality TV Helps Kannada Cinema Grow’
“Being on Bigg Boss Kannada gave me visibility; people got to see who I am,” Mahesh explained. “After that, I was flooded with scripts.” Addressing the temporary suspension of the show due to alleged environmental regulation violations, he acknowledged the disruption. “When you’re inside the house, you’re focused on the game. If the show suddenly halts, it creates fear and uncertainty. Thankfully, things are cleared now, and the show can go on. Bigg Boss has given so many people a platform. Every year, it introduces new faces to our industry. We all want it to continue because it helps Kannada entertainment grow.”
The Allure of the Antagonist
Often typecast as the “good guy,” Mahesh revealed that his decision to embrace a villainous role wasn’t spontaneous. “It wasn’t something that just happened. I took time to analyse the character. I’m a performer first, so I look for roles that challenge me. Every detail, how a character walks, dresses, talks, and reacts, matters a lot to me,” he said. He confessed to a long-held desire to play an antagonist, inspired by memorable performances like the one in Hoysala. “There was always an urge to explore a negative role. So when this opportunity came, I felt it was the right time to do something different. A hero has boundaries, but an antagonist can do anything — that freedom is what made it exciting.”
Detachment and the Craft of Acting
Despite the intensity of portraying darker characters, Mahesh maintains a clear separation between his professional and personal life. “For me, acting is something that exists between ‘action’ and ‘cut’,” he stated with a laugh. “I completely involve myself when the camera rolls, but once they say ‘cut’, I switch off. Of course, it consumes a lot of energy — both physically and emotionally — but I don’t carry the character home.”
A Shift in Script Selection
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Mahesh noted a change in his approach to choosing scripts since 2023. “Dollu helped me prove myself as an actor,” he said, “but now I also look for roles that let me grow. I want to do commercial films that reach a wider audience, but at the same time, I don’t want to stop doing artistic or experimental cinema, as both help me in different ways.”
Having experience in both television and film, Mahesh highlighted the distinct demands of each medium. “Television takes time for you to build reactions over episodes. But in cinema, you need to deliver emotions quickly and precisely. The scale is different, and so is the pressure,” he explained. He also acknowledged the growing opportunities within the Kannada OTT space, expressing his openness to projects that pique his interest.
Alpha Promises a New Dimension
His upcoming film, Alpha, will showcase this new dimension of his talent. “I really loved the character the moment I heard it, but at first I was unsure since I’ve been playing lead roles in my other films. Once I understood the depth of the character, it stayed with me. It’s a strong, layered role that shows a different side of me as a performer.”
Karthik Mahesh’s willingness to embrace challenges and explore the full spectrum of his abilities signals a promising future for this dynamic actor in the Kannada film industry.
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