Kumaran Naidu: from childhood in film to directing 'Run for Your Life 3'

Actor and film producer Kumaran Naidu is back in the driver's seat with his latest release, Run for Your Life 3.

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The movie is currently showing in selected cinemas in Durban and Johannesburg, and via a streaming platform. Naidu, 52, formerly from Chatsworth in Durban, and now living in Roodepoort, chats to Candice Soobramoney about his family's roots in entertainment and his evolution in film-making.

Q: When did your love for movies start?

A: I was born into the film business. My dad, Daya Naidu, and grandfather, Vadaraj Naidu, were involved in film since the 1960s. My grandfather was a projectionist at the Mayville Theatre. My dad took an interest in that, and his dream was to open a cinema, which he did in 1991. He reopened the Odeon and Majestic cinemas to show Indian films. In 1978, we also opened the first video store in Chatsworth, Film Star Movies. I spent most of my childhood in that shop, which I hated because it robbed me of being a child. All I could do was sit and watch films in that store.

Q: Which actors did you look up to and why? And did you have aspirations of becoming an actor?

A: I used to love Amitabh Bachchan. He was like a role-model, as well as Rajnikanth. My dad imported Indian films. We were the only ones to do so. I didn't think I could be an actor. It was not my desire, but, then again, I didn't know I had hidden potential to do whatever I wanted.

Q: Did you take part in any school plays or productions?

A: Yes, I took part in school plays, but I was a shy and conservative child. Only after making my first film, Broken Promises, did I break out of my shell.

Q: At what stage did your interest move to "behind-the-scenes" production?