In a career that has spanned over a decade across multiple creative domains, Raghav Nayak has lived many lives in cinema—actor, director, writer, and even lyricist.
For him, filmmaking is not just a profession, it is second nature. Today, with films like O2 and the much-awaited Rajanivaasa, Raghav has established himself as one of the most versatile voices in Kannada cinema.
Born Raghavendra, he was rechristened Raghav much before cinema found him. “When I was working with Kingfisher Airlines, everyone used to call me Raghav,” he recalls. “My father’s favorite name was Nayak, our family name. So I thought of combining both—Raghav, which my friends and family called me, and Nayak, for my father. That’s how it became Raghav Nayak.” This blend of personal and professional identity has shaped his artistic journey, giving him both individuality and a rooted sense of belonging.
Ask him about balancing the many roles he plays in cinema, and Raghav shrugs it off with ease. “I don’t consciously change hats,” he says. “It happens naturally. Acting, directing, writing, lyrics—everything feels equally important to me. With lyrics, for instance, I just jam with my music director, and it flows spontaneously.” This organic approach is perhaps what sets him apart. For Raghav, the creative process is never forced—it is lived.
One of his most talked-about projects has been O2, the last script approved by the late Puneeth Rajkumar under PRK Productions. “Puneeth Rajkumar was not just a producer, he was like a friend throughout the journey,” Raghav says with emotion. “He never denied support for creativity. For example, I wanted to use anamorphic lenses to differentiate between past and present in the film. He immediately encouraged it. That was his nature—always supporting filmmakers to push boundaries.” The film also gave him the chance to explore his lyrical side with the chartbuster Nashey Nashey. “It happened naturally,”. “Vivaan (the music director) and I wrote and composed songs like Nashey Nashey and Nina Gauge in a single night. Sometimes inspiration strikes on a highway drive, and by morning the song is ready.”
Raghav’s early acting career saw him feature in films like Pranayam and the critically noted Pampa Panchalli Parashivamurthy. For him, Pampa remains especially close to heart. “Working with director S. Mahinder and music director Hamsalekha was a dream,” he says. “I was also assisting A.M.R. Ramesh at that time, so being chosen as an actor was a complete surprise.” The lessons he carried from that experience were priceless.
With his upcoming release Rajanivaasa already creating buzz, Raghav prefers to keep the suspense alive. “I believe the film should speak for itself,” he says. “Curiosity is a good sign, but the audience should come with an open mind and let the story do the talking.” Even after more than a decade in cinema, he doesn’t see himself as a starry outsider or a wide-eyed newcomer. “My years in the industry give me confidence. I don’t overthink it. I just do my job sincerely. My mantra is simple—do your duty, and the rest will follow.”
The Kannada film industry is currently witnessing a bold phase of experimentation, something Raghav is keen to be part of. “That’s exactly why I chose O2. I knew audiences would embrace this kind of experiment. I want to continue making films that push boundaries. At the end of the day, the film should talk for itself.” And as for dream projects? His vision is refreshingly clear. “I want my films to be seen by the maximum number of people. The bigger the audience, the more my stories live on. That’s my ultimate dream.”
In many ways, Raghav Nayak embodies the spirit of a “seasoned newcomer.” Having spent years behind the camera before stepping into the limelight, he brings a depth of experience to his performances. Yet, his hunger for new stories, new experiments, and larger audiences keeps him as eager as a debutant. For Raghav, cinema is not just a career—it’s a way of life. And with every project, he continues to prove that storytelling, when honest and heartfelt, always finds its audience.
