Buka Tolordava: A Special Guest on The Diary Originals

| Ana Tsikhelashvili |

"Changing Signs" has returned from the German city of Karlsruhe with a fresh batch of exciting new episodes. It’s already confirmed that Georgian footballer Budu Zivzivadze will join the third season. While we eagerly anticipate the new episodes and the unfolding storylines of the four best friends, The Diary brings you an exclusive interview with the creator of the beloved character Oto. Buka Tolordava is a name that needs little introduction; some know him from the series, while others recognize him from the theatre stage. The son of renowned actors Mariam Jologua and Kote Tolordava, Buka is carving out his own unique path in the creative world, now standing as one of the most promising actors of the new generation.

It’s also important to note that this interview was conducted before Georgia found itself in the political turmoil that has since become a national crisis. Following the announcement of the country’s departure from its European course, public protests have continued to grow.

Actors have become one of the main driving forces in this movement, fighting daily for the release of political prisoners, including actor Andro Chichinadze. Buka Tolordava's stance on this issue is clear and unwavering. This time, however, our conversation will focus on his career and creative journey.

Buka, why did you choose acting as a profession?

Buka: It's the only career that has never bored me. I've had many interests in life, but everything eventually lost its appeal at some point. I started working in this field in 2011, and even now, I haven’t exhausted it — and I’m sure it will continue this way in the future.

How do you find a balance between theater and film?

Buka: I love both, and they each offer a completely different kind of magic. I have much more experience in theater, and there I really feel like I'm fully tapping into my resources. With film, I have more fun, I enjoy a different kind of pleasure, and it also feels like a bit of a break.

What was the most challenging role you’ve ever played in theater?

Buka: It was probably my first role in professional theater. The play was called "Once Only," where I portrayed an artificially created being that eventually evolves into a dictator. It was also a wordless performance, which added an extra layer of difficulty.

What role do you dream of playing?

Buka: I think I've outgrown the age of dreaming about roles—I’m no longer a teenager. The role I’d love to play is Holden Caulfield, the main character in The Catcher in the Rye.

How do you prepare to get into character?

Buka: For me, the most important thing is finding the music that my character would listen to. Once I find that, everything else falls into place. However, it doesn’t always work like that. For example, the character I’m playing in a new play, I feel, wouldn’t listen to music at all. Beyond music, the key is to discover one small detail. It might be a person I associate with the character, or even an animal that resembles them. Once I find those details, everything else naturally starts to come together, and a flood of ideas follows. On the day of the premiere, I try to walk to the theater, listening to my character’s music along the way.

Which Georgian and international actors would you like to share the stage or screen with?

Buka: Among Georgians, I would love to work with Avto Makharadze—he's my absolute favorite Georgian actor. As for international actors, I would say Daniel Day-Lewis.

How has your life changed after Changing Signs and playing the role of Oto?

Buka: People got to know me through that role. No matter what you do in theater, television has much more power. After Changing Signs, I learned what it truly means to be an actor. Initially, this experience changed me personally, but I wouldn’t say it was for the better. I’m not someone who enjoys being in the spotlight, and suddenly, I found myself right in the center of everyone’s attention, which kind of drove me crazy. For a while, I didn’t feel like myself, but now, I’ve found my way back.

How important do you think projects like Changing Signs are?

Buka: It's clear that Changing Signs is the first of its kind in its genre, and it's a huge innovation and breakthrough. Of course, it has its challenges since it’s still quite new, but in the end, the show is doing its job. For instance, it’s raising awareness among Generation Z. In general, this project has taken on a certain level of responsibility, even though no one originally expected it to.

Which scene do you think best represents how Oto would act in real life, as you would?

Buka: When Oto leaves the advertising company because they asked him to work on an advertisement for gambling. That’s exactly how I would react in real life.

What did you bring to Oto's character that wasn’t in the script?

Buka: About 90% of the scenes between Oto and Lasha Mebuke’s character are completely improvised. We’re fortunate that the directors and the entire creative team always give us the freedom to do so. A few scenes were brought to life through our improvisation. Overall, partnering with Lasha is something I really enjoy.

In real life, which character from Changing Signs would you be friends with, and which one wouldn’t you be?

Buka: I would be friends with Oto, and I wouldn’t be friends with Shako, the character played by Sandro Makharadze.

How would you describe the new season?

Buka: So far, only a few episodes have been filmed, and I really like both of them. I’m also happy with the direction my character is taking this season. I can’t wait to get started—it feels like it’s going to turn out great. Plus, we’ve all had the opportunity to reflect on the experiences from the previous seasons, to see what worked in the series, what interests the audience, and we’ve found the key to creating the perfect season.

What are your plans for the future?

Do you see a career for yourself in Georgia? Buka: I’m generally a very ambitious person. I don’t understand why I shouldn’t have the hope and desire to conquer the world. I believe this is something everyone can achieve. At the moment, both in theater and in the series, I’m growing a lot as a person and as an actor. As for the future, we’ll see—I don’t have any specific, written-out plans.