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Sirish: I didn't want a star-kid launch vehicle
Sirish made his mark working in father Allu Aravind's production house Geetha Arts and later as a magazine publisher. He has now changed tracks to become an actor following his brother Allu Arjun.
Sirish has chosen a rather unconventional debut. His bi-lingual film Gouravam, starring Yami Gautham and Prakash Raj, is produced by Prakash Raj's Duet Movies and directed by Radha Mohan.
In this exclusive interview, he is candid about how he chose acting, the film Gouravam and being in the same field as Arjun.
Were you waiting to make your debut and follow in your brother's footsteps?
I was working with my Dad's film production company, Geetha Arts. The magazine was a pet project I started with my partner who took care of the day to day activities.
I had acted as a child artiste. I always had the desire to act, but I didn't pursue it out of fear. Seeing Arjun and Charan close up, and the effort and skill they have, it scared me.
Also, I asked myself a lot of questions. Once I found the answers, which were truthful but not motivated by such external factors, I decided to take the plunge into acting.
'A film institute can't make a non-actor into an actor'
Did you train to be an actor?
Yes. I did go to an institute in Mumbai called Kreating Characters. It helped me. An institute can't make a non-actor into an actor, but it can definitely help you sharpen your skills.
For anybody who is serious about acting, I'd recommend joining acting school and some theatre if possible. I still regret I couldn't do much theatre.
Also, I trained in fights for over a year. I was based in Chennai for three months to train in action sequences from Mr Pandian, a former fight choreographer who has trained all major stars of Tamil cinema.
Were your parents and brother supportive of your decision to enter films?
Totally. My Dad told me, I am happy you're not carried away and have clarity on what you want to do. My brother was fine and educated me about the industry.
Charan instantly supported me. My uncle Chiranjeevi (superstar turned politician) too supported my decision and gave me some guidance on what I should be doing. All of them were supportive without enforcing their ideas or visions on me.
'Gouravam was exactly the kind of film I was looking for'
Why did you choose Gouravam as your maiden film?
I didn't want a star kid launch vehicle. I really wanted a film that lets me showcase my skills as an actor.
I wanted to play a character who evolves and becomes a hero in the process. So, Gouravam was exactly the kind of film I was looking for.
I had watched Radha Sir's films and liked his sensibilities. So, when I was offered the film, I took it up.
Nag Chaitanya was to do the role....
I was aware of Chaitanya's presence, but him being a friend, I didn't probe why he opted out of it. I am sure he had his reasons.
I was told he parted on a pleasant note, so there was nothing for me to feel awkward about.
How did your father and uncle Chiranjeevi react to your choice of Gouravam as your launch vehicle?
Chiranjeevi asked me why did I select this film instead of a more commercial one. I told him the above reasons. He was convinced and even listened to the story and okayed it.
'Yami Gautham is one of the most talented actresses I've seen'
Why a bi-lingual? Do you want to enter both industries in one stroke?
The film was a bi-lingual when it was conceptualised. It was offered to me because I am fluent in both the languages. So, it was the filmmaker's idea, not mine.
What's your role all about? What do you get to showcase in the film?
I play the role of a city-bred boy who has never been to a village. He goes to the village searching for his friend who happens to elope with a rich man's daughter. The whole film is about what happens there and my learning from it.
Yami Gautham is making her debut in Tamil with this film. How was she to act with?
She's one of the most talented actresses I've seen. She's a natural. She just didn't mug the lines, but asked the assistant directors to explain the meaning of each word so that she would know where to give stress, where to pause and what expression to give during each line.
I am sure she'll go a long way as an actor. I wish her all the best and hope to work with her sometime again.
'Radha Mohan is a very chilled out director'
How was Radhamohan to work with on the sets?
Totally chilled out. He never yells and works at a quick pace.
He believes a director should not give too many inputs or force his body language upon his actor. So, he used to give the scene papers to me and Yami and ask us to interpret it. Only if we do something he didn't want, would he correct us.
How do you feel before the release?
It's yet to hit me; the anxiousness. I know I've done my best within my limitations. So, like the Bhagavad Gita says, "do your duty, don't anticipate the result."
I leave it to the audience to bestow what they like upon me.