Stardom hasn't ever impressed me: Sudeep

The Kannada superstar, who enjoys driving, zipped down from Bangalore to Chennai in record time. Basking within the success of his latest film which has got him national recognition, actor Sudeep gets candid with Chennai Times about monoacting, movies, awards and more…Acting in a movie where you were fighting against a fly that truly didn’t exist; how difficult was it? I personally feel that you have to get into the director’s head a bit of and understand what exactly he wants. There’s not a single human in this earth who have been tortured by a fly. It's more monoacting at the screen and that’s what I needed to take into account. It was the clarity that Rajamouli had given me and he was there in case there has been any confusion. All I needed to be was like an even instrument at the set; he was doing the fine tuning. Within the initial stages, there has been a terror of working in a foreign fraternity (Andhra). That was scarier than acting alone on screen. So the question for me was – how do I gain their confidence? The entire challenge was of not wanting a couple of things to happen – Rajamouli is a man who been very successful and that i didn’t want anyone to indicate a finger at him and say finally he made a wrong choice. This pressure and responsibility is what I enjoyed.

What did you first think whilst you were offered the film? I chose the individual and never the script. I USED TO BE blessed to be working with Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) and thru him, Rajamouli. Though the Kannada industry’s doing well, there’s an amount of vacuum still around us. He got me from there and showed abundant trust in me.

Was this movie a quest to showcase your talent better to a miles larger audience? If any actor says I’m bound by boundaries and that is where I WOULD LIKE to live, somewhere he'll agree that he’s living a lie. I don’t think any actor desires to have a boundary; he just desires to travel. It’s not about autographs or stardom – stardom hasn't ever impressed me anyway. There has been a time after I used to face within the Bangalore airport and spot actors come from Mumbai and watch the excitement around them. And that i desired to get down at every other airport and now have people recognize me and consult me. That appealed to me greater than the rest. It wasn’t a quest to grow as a celeb but I WISHED to have people come to me with respect and say that I'VE done an excellent job. I BELIEVE I got a fantastic platform on this film. Suddenly, one Friday, things have changed! Frankly I don’t know where I'M presently. I just know the film has done rather well and i'm being appreciated. I FEEL I’ll just put a whole stop at that.

Do you think that it is a turning point to your career? I do not know. The film was successful and those say it’s given a south Indian star stardom. But I'VE no idea how successful I'M at this time. All I DO KNOW is that I got numerous calls of appreciation and that’s the reward I always wanted in life. I guess when someone calls me and asks me for dates, I’ll know then. Right now, nobody has.

Were you apprehensive about taking up a negative role? No. I FEEL there’s a bit of ofgoodness and badness in every human. It’s upto us after we get it out. Negative is solely a shade. There has been a fantastic graph on this character and that i liked that.

Are you looking ahead to doing Tamil films now? If I say IT'S NOT THAT I AM waiting for something, I'D be lying. I don’t think it’s the market that connects – the making standards, scripts and directors’ convictions are quite amazing in certain states. To work with such people is a blessing altogether. Thankfully, I'VE are available at a time where there are lots of offbeat roles happening. Maybe if an exciting film comes along, then yes. You wish to check out something new and are available out of the monotony of being a lead actor singing songs. In the event you inquire from me today, I’d say Naan Ee / Eega is one my best films. As for my career, it has taken off long back. As for thejourney, it’s getting bigger and better.

You have done a couple of films with RGV, any more Bollywood films within the horizon? There were a couple of Hindi films that came my way but frankly, I roughly felt isolated there. It was not anatmosphere I was used to. Bollywood’s definitely huge and glamorous but I SUPPOSE south Indians are more emotional by nature – we love to speak and mingle a little bit. We don’t treat movies as only a business. I didn’t feel at home in Mumbai. I TRULY enjoyed working with RGV. But I BELIEVE I belong within the south and i'm happy.

Do you spot awards coming your way now? It’s been nine years since I attended any award ceremony. I wouldn’t say they're rigged but we all know there’s a specific amount of unfaithfulness happening there. Some particular years while you know that no person as opposed to you'll stand an opportunity at winning and after they surprise you by awarding someone else, you are inclined to get disappointed. After a definite point, I SPOTTED I USED TO BE the only liable for it – expecting it after which sulking – it doesn’t take you anywhere. The rewards I GET of late with the entire big icons calling me and everybody welcoming me – I don’t think there may also be anything more exciting.

And what did Superstar Rajinikanth tell you? I wish I MAY imitate him but I can’t (laughs). He has his own form of appreciating things. He spoke to me for approximately QUARTER-HOUR; it was mind-blowing. There has been one line he said that I’ll always remember. Rajini sir said, “I thought I USED TO BE the most productive villain but you beat me outright!” That one call made my day, made my life.