Last April, Sundeep Kishan completed his six years of being in films. He has seen highs and lows, but nothing could dampen his spirits. In this exclusive interview to IndiaGlitz, the much-happening star talks about how he sees the competition, how he sees hits and misses, how he sees heroes hiking their remuneration, whether he wants to make it big in Kollywood, working with Nithya Menen, and so on.
It has been six years in the industry. How have you changed over the years?
Prasthanam hit the screens on April 16, 2010. Earlier, I would only talk. Later, I would do both talking and thinking. Of late, I am thinking before talking. Earlier, I would be affected emotionally. I have learnt that we can't expect everyone to be alike.
These are the times when many heroes from the same family are vying for space. Despite so much of competition, how have you been able to hold the ground?
Regardless of the competition, I have to do films I believe in. I can think of only two things: I should do films that I like, and people hopefully like the films I do. Each actor has his own strengths. Some can dance well, some can perform well, and so on. All that I have to do is to discover my strengths. Out of 52 weeks, it's enough even if one week is mine. My only concern is that no film that would have been apt for me should elide me.
How do you see budgetary constrictions? You must have faced in your case.
For good or bad, the films I have chosen have had larger budgets. 'Okka Ammayi Tappa' is a big-budgeted film. There is a difference between the budget of this film and Krishna Vamsi's 'Nakshatram'. When I want a story, that film should have an appropriate budget. In some cases, I may not be able to do a film because the budget needed is more.
These days, hikes in remuneration are immediately following a film's success. What's your take on this?
If a film of mine collects Rs. 10 cr., my next producer will invest Rs. 6 cr. If my film doesn't do well, the budget will be chopped off from Rs. 7 cr to Rs. 5 cr. There is no much difference between these figures. I don't know about others, but I am not hiking my remuneration when my film does well.
Is Chota K Naidu you strength?
Yes, my strength is my 'mavayya'. Only he can do a film within the budget when I like a story. That too, without compromising on quality. My mom and dad have no association with the film industry. He has taken the burden upon himself like a father. He works equally hard, whether it's my film or someone else's film.
Those who work with Krishna Vamsi learn a lot and there is seen a lot of change in them as performers. What's you comment?
I keep learning many things from him as he teaches me so many new things. I don't say a line loudly in some scenes because I am apprehensive that it might be seen as a case of over-acting. I hadn't told this to any, but Krishna Vamsi garu discovered it. He advises me to do things in a different way. I am feeling very lucky that I have got to do a genre which I like him for. 'Nakshatram' is the story of a guy who wants to be a cop. Both 'Okka Ammayi Thappa' and 'Nakshatram' will be turning points in my career.
Why are you doing two Tamil films at a time?
I hadn't planned it. My career is in Tollywood. I have made no plans of making it big in Tamil. But the two films I am doing there, I am sure, will earn me greater fame. 'Maa Nagaram' will be a different movie. The shooting is done. The other one is also a distinct film. Studio Green is producing them.
To what extent do you involve yourself in the making of a film?
Once I say OK to a script, I submit myself to my director. I just go to the shooting spot, find out what I should do, do it, that's all. It would be better if everyone just does their work. I don't give suggestions to others. Earlier, I wouldn't keep quiet when something was going wrong. But of late, I have realized that my involvement won't make a difference.
It's the hero who okays a script. So, can we hold him responsible when a film fails?
It's my fault if I pick up such a script. If the director has done justice to the script, I would accept that the mistake was mine.
What is your character like in 'Okka Ammayi Thappa'?
It's the story of a youngster who dropped out of college midway. But it's wrong to say that he is a dullard. He thinks that learning should be done in the world, not the college. He can analyze any and tell what kind of a person he is. It's a different love story. It's a story that takes place during a traffic jam on the Hi-Tech city flyover. How these two lovers cross this gridlock and emerge successful, is the story. 60 pc of the film takes place with this gridlock as the backdrop. The screenplay is entirely different.
How could you do the shoot, given that 60 pc of the film takes place in traffic jam?
Yes, it was problematic. So, we shot some shots for seven days at Hi-Tech city. Rest of the portions, we shot in a specially erected set in Annapurna Studios for 40 days. There is CG work as well.
What is the title justification?
We used to take a pledge while in school. The hero thinks of everyone else except his lover as his sister.
You are tall, while Nithya Menen is very short. Wasn't that an issue?
(Laughs). Take the example of Amitabh and Jaya Bacchan. We used to casually joke about our heights during the shoot.
Nithya Menen is a thinking actress. How was the experience working with her?
She loved this story a lot. When she heard the story, she asked the director (Raja Simha) to remove some of the scenes he might have written keeping only her in the mind. She said that she is fine even if she has less number of scenes. "Story is important," she had said.
How has Raja Simha, a debutante, executed the script?
It was in 2012 that he narrated to me the script. Meanwhile, the story had gone to some others. Even though everybody told him that the story is nice, they didn't come forward to do it for some reason or the other. In the end, the story came to me, once again. Raja Simha has reached out expectations. He has travelled with this story for seven years.
Have any of your films which you thought will be a hit flopped?
I expected Joru and Run to become hits.
Since you are friends with your co-actresses, you are constantly linked up with someone or the other. Isn't it?
Yes. I have many friends among actresses. All those with whom I have worked are my good friends. Sai Dharam Tej, Rakul Preet Singh and Regina Cassandra are more my best friends than fellow actors. I spend my time with them often. I know what I am. So, I don't care what others write/talk about me.
By the way, when are you going to tie the knot?
As of now, all my focus is on my career.
Will you do a negative role once again, many years after you did one in 'Prasthanam'?
If I like my character, I am ready to do any kind of role.
How do you see your successes and failures?
So far, I have done 18 movies. There are good ones, bad ones, and the ones which I am very proud of. We work toward ensuring success every time. But if something goes wrong, a film mightn't work. Success is not in our hands. So, we ought to do our job properly. We needn't bother ourselves about the result.
What are your next projects?
Besides the two films in Tamil, I am doing Krishna Vamsi garu's 'Nakshatram'. I will think of my future moves only after I am done with the shoot of 'Nakshatram'. But I can say one thing: from now onwards, every film of mine is going to be appreciated.
