Interview: Ad filmmaker Rajesh Ramaswamy on his debut Kannada short film ‘Iruve’

‘Iruve’, starring Dattanna and Mahantesh, is a slice-of-life Kannada dark comedy involving ants, set in Jayanagar, Bengaluru

In the shadow of post-KGF Kannada cinema, often dominated by the pursuit of high-octane action drama, grandeur, and spectacle, Rajesh Ramaswamy’s debut short film, Iruve (Ants), offers a refreshing respite. Running for just 17 minutes, this Kannada short film is a delightful exploration of everyday life set in the South Bengaluru neighbourhood of Jayanagar. With veteran actor HG Dattatreya (popularly known as Dattanna) and the versatile Mahantesh in the lead roles, Iruve tells a simple yet compelling tale that would resonate with audiences far beyond its immediate cultural context.

Rajesh Ramaswamy, fondly known as Ramsam, is no stranger to storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades in advertising, he has crafted some memorable ad campaigns, including the popular ‘Yella okay, cool drink yaake?’ (‘All okay, but why the cool drink?’) featuring Kannada star Upendra for a UB Export beverage brand. However, Iruve marks his first foray into short filmmaking — a transition he says has been both challenging and rewarding.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the mundane aspects of life, the small stories that often go unnoticed,” Rajesh says, “With Iruve, I wanted to capture the essence of these everyday moments, much like RK Narayan did with Malgudi Days.”

The story of Iruve revolves around Govindiah, a 70-year-old man whose house is overrun by red ants. The plot thickens as he commissions Kumara, an exterminator , to rid his home of the pests. What ensues is a slice-of-life drama filled with everyday characters in an absurd situation that makes for a delightful dark comedy.

Being an ad filmmaker, Rajesh has always had a passion for storytelling. For over 15 years, he has been writing short stories, often inspired by the interesting characters he encounters in his daily life. One such character sparked the idea for Iruve.

“I met a pest controller whose equipment I found amusing. He carried this plastic or aluminium thing on his back like a school bag. These kinds of characters just stick with you. You wonder what kind of adventures they could have. You toss around ideas, trying to figure out what might happen to them. Sometimes, it leads to a story. Sometimes, it doesn’t,” says Rajesh about the birth of Iruve.

After two decades in advertising, what prompted Rajesh to venture into films?