Kichcha Sudeepa, who had stayed away from media interactions for a while, recently addressed the press during the promotional event of KD – The Devil. His appearance comes amid reports that none of his films had gone on floors after Mark, and that Billa Ranga Baasha, which had already been launched, had been put on hold. He had also remained largely absent from CCL activities.
Speaking at the event, Sudeepa detailed how he spent his recent break and outlined his upcoming plans. He revealed that he had worked for 120 days over a span of about five and a half months, giving 166 call sheets. Following that, he was occupied with Bigg Boss and later CCL. He said he consciously chose to take a break afterward, spending time at home focusing on fitness, cooking, and playing cricket. He added that the break was intended to improve himself, noting that actors cannot afford to appear casually and must maintain a desire to look their best. He confirmed that Billa Ranga Baasha will resume soon and stated that he has multiple projects lined up, with shooting schedules expected to proceed one after another.
Addressing criticism that actors participating in leagues like CCL impact film production, Sudeepa dismissed the claim. He clarified that his involvement in CCL was limited to four weekends and asserted that the rest of his time was dedicated to cinema. He questioned how such engagements could harm the industry and pointed out that even IPL does not hinder filmmaking. According to him, the challenges faced by the industry stem from internal mistakes rather than external factors. He emphasized that acknowledging and correcting mistakes is essential for growth.
Sudeepa stressed that every film releasing now is crucial for the Kannada film industry, not just KD – The Devil. He described the industry as being at a decisive stage and said that all films require strong support. He cautioned against magnifying minor issues and noted that such negativity creates space for external influences. He added that instead of scrutinizing faults excessively, stakeholders should provide opportunities to correct them and support films, which would help the industry recover and grow.
Explaining his decision to take up a guest role in KD – The Devil, Sudeepa credited his association with two individuals. He said he has always supported his friends in their projects, recalling how he once went directly from the airport to a studio to shoot a song for Chandan’s film. He said that when friends seek his support, he does not hesitate. He added that while collaborators have the responsibility of utilizing him effectively, his decision to join the film was also influenced by his bond with Dhruva Sarja, whom he has known since childhood and admires as an actor and dancer. He also highlighted his long-standing relationship with director Prem, describing him as family first and then a filmmaker.
On the controversy surrounding the film’s song and the censor-related issues, Sudeepa said he had personally spoken to Prem when the issue arose. He stated that mistakes can happen and advised not to dwell on them, suggesting that the lyrics be rewritten and the song re-released. He also addressed the broader challenges related to censorship, noting that films often encounter such hurdles and that the censor board operates with its own responsibilities. He said it would not be appropriate to assign blame without full clarity and added that he was not aware of the exact details of what transpired in this case.
