After penning and directing the critically and commercially successful Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (2021), Raj B Shetty is set to return to the silver screen with the revenge drama Toby, directed by Basil Alchakkal. Renowned for his significant contributions to revitalising Kannada cinema, Raj Shetty has reiterated his concern about the scarcity of skilled writers in the regional film industry. The decline of the Kannada film industry in recent decades can be attributed to the scarcity of talented writers, he said during a recent promotional event ahead of the release of Toby, OTTPlay reported. The report further states that Raj Shetty said Sandalwood had a golden era but suffered a loss of reputation solely due to inadequate writing and no other contributing factors. Pointing out that when the writing gets better, associated fields will also benefit, Raj stated the issue, for the longest time, has been that the industry did not nurture and encourage the growth of writers. He, however, expressed that the situation was slowly beginning to change. Furthermore, he elaborated that when an exceptional script is presented by a writer, it serves as a chance for Raj, as an artiste, to enhance his abilities by exploring how to effectively portray it. Similarly, if the director is uncertain about translating this vision onto the screen, it becomes an opportunity for him to strategise and figure out the best approach, which allows him to become a better filmmaker. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Raj B Shetty (@rajbshetty) In essence, he believes that when each individual involved in the filmmaking process strives to reach their fullest potential, it contributes to the industry's advancement, leading to the emergence of compelling narratives and the creation of outstanding cinema, the OTTPlay report added. Raj has also often cited his own previous experience, wherein he was asked to write something after he had made a name with Ondu Motteya Kathe, and was paid a measly Rs 25,000 for his effort.
