Kannada film industry fears losing Sudeep?

Kannada film industry has got a few multifaceted personalities and actor Sudeep, who is basking the success of his recently-released movie Kempe Gowda, is one among them. But the industry is now facing the threat of losing the Veera Madakari star after he announced his political venture through the upcoming by-election for Assembly in Karnataka.

Sudeep started his acting career with movies like O Kusuma Bale and Brahma, but both were abandoned in the middle of their filming. So the film Thayavva, which was released in 1997, is considered as his debut movie. Later, he acted in nearly 40 Kannada films. He also went to act in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and proved successful in those languages too. So far, he has acted in total of 50 movies including his recent film Kempe Gowda. Sparsha, Huchcha, Ranga SSLC, My Autograph, Mussanje Mathu, Veera Madakari, Just Maath Maathalli, Veera Parampare and Kempe Gowda are some of his hit films in Kannada.

The Kempe Gowda star has been the most talented and dynamic star of Kannada film industry. In a very short span of 15 years career, the Kichcha star has seen the peak of success and acted alongside the superstar of Amitabh Bachchan, who has appreciated his acting skills after working with him in the film Rann. He has even impressed successful filmmakers like Ram Gopal Varma and SS Rajamouli.

Besides acting, Sudeep has also rendered his service to other fields like direction, singing, producing and writing story and screenplay. He has produced a hit movie called My Autograph. He has directed movies like My Autograph, #73, Shantinivasa, Veera Madakari, Just Math Mathalli, Kempe Gowda and is currently working on Kanwarlal and 1993 as director. He has sung few songs for the films like Veera Madakari, Gooli, #73, Shantinivasa, Nalla, Ranga SSLC and Vaalee. He has also tried his hands at writing story and screenplay for the film Just Maath Maathalli.

In addition to all this, he has been active participant in several events organised by the Kannada film industry. Right from his college days, he has been a good cricket player and he has played several cricket matches organised by the industry. Recently, he was the voice captain of South Indian team in the T20 cricket match between Bollywood and South Cinema, which was recently held in Hyderabad.

Such a Kannada actor has now planned to plunge into politics. In an interview with the Times of India, the actor has said, “I would like to do one thing at a time. I have to take up one thing or the other seriously. If I get into politics, working in films will be doubtful." Currently, he is working on the projects like Kanwarlal, 1993, Production No. 47 and another untitled movie with Chiraneevi Sarja in Kannada. Although he has reportedly accepted a few other projects, it is not sure whether he will work in them or not. But many Kannada producers and directors fear that he may not return to acting after his political entry.

Many of Sudeep fans hope that he should not enter politics and some other fans do not have any objection for his political venture, but they are praying him not to quit film industry. But is it right to join politics after attaining mastery in all fields like acting, direction, producing, singing and writing story and screenplay? With this huge amount of experience, can't he achieve even better in films than in politics? However, Sudeep may defend his decision, but there is no doubt Kannada film industry is going lose a great star with his political plans.