An actor turning up on time for an interview is such a rarity that by now the Mumbai press circle has reluctantly made peace with 'Bollywood Standard Time. Telugu actor Naga Chaitanya though doesn't abide by it even if he is in Mumbai to promote his streaming debut, Dhootha (Amazon Prime), and has one Hindi film to his credit, Laal Singh Chaddha. He walks into a banquet hall at ITC Maratha dot at 10 am.
With Dhootha (releasing on December 1), a Telugu supernatural thriller, the actor joins a small legion of South actors (Rana Daggubati, Nithya Menen, Arya to name a few) who have jumped on the OTT bandwagon to do shows in the region's many languages. Doing a web series was a no-brainer for the 37-year-old actor as it gave him more screen time to explore his craft. "It was never like 'Should I be doing this at this point of my career?" he says. "I was very clear that [on OTT] I don't want to do the kind of roles I'm doing in cinema. I'd like to come out of my comfort zone and do what I cannot do on the big screen."
Esta historia es de la edición December 11, 2023 de India Today.
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Esta historia es de la edición December 11, 2023 de India Today.
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FUELLING AMBITIONS
Puri's return signals a welcome continuity. Oil production and green fuels remain a challenge
Acceptance Certificates
The Ayush ministry must push for rigorous treatment protocol based on science and ensure new and high-quality products
THE HEALTH MAKEOVER
Providing adequate and quality healthcare to a large population is a challenge. The immediate task is to provide affordable treatment and tackle the burden of spiraling non-communicable diseases
THE GREEN TIGHTROPE
If the government is to realise its grand promises of a green revival, it needs to show unwavering commitment. Pollution and depleting forest cover remain major worries
REALISING THE TRUE POTENTIAL
Conserving and promoting India's rich heritage can generate jobs and spur other sectors too
MAKING YOUTH EMPLOYABLE
To cash in on its demographic advantage, India must revamp its skilling infrastructure with aid from the industry
CRACK THE REFORM CODE
Educational reform is unfinished business. More resources and full adoption of NEP are a must to end disparities, fill vacancies and train teachers
FISHING FOR SUCCESS
Empowering the fisheries sector and the national livestock census will be top priority
POWER-PACKED AGENDA
Reforms in the power sector are key to meeting the exponential growth in demand for electricity
BREAKING THE GRID LOCK
Joshi's big challenge, apart from synergies with the power ministry, will be to popularise the green fuels of the future