'I have a challenging role in Sukumarudu'

Aadi has had a fairly smooth run so far after making his debut with Prema Kavali directed by Vijayabhaskar. Both Prema Kavali and his second film, Lovely, directed by Jaya B have fared decently at the box office.

The actor's third film Sukumarudu, helmed by G Ashok (of Pilla Jamindar fame), is ready for release on May 10.

In this exclusive chat, Aadi explains his role in the film and comments on his co-stars and others involved in the film.

Wasn't Siddharth supposed to do Sukumarudu with G Ashok?

Ashok and I had planned to do a film. All of a sudden he told me, 'you are doing Sukumarudu.' I do not know what happened with Siddharth.

I told Ashok that I would hear the script of Sukumarudu. I heard it and liked it because it was a new characterisation. We made some changes according to my body language and immediately started to shoot.

We started filming last May and we are releasing the film on May 10. The producer ensured a lavish production. There are about 60 artistes in the film.

You said your had a new characterisation. What's your role like?

It's a challenging role. It's about what happens today with the youth. They do not have time for their families. They are always working on their job, on the internet, and not moved by emotions. How he changes is the story.

Some of the films today are characterised by vulgarity. Sukumarudu will have Telugu nativity and good dialogues besides, of course, good artistes.

Krishna garu (yesteryear superstar and father of Mahesh Babu) and Sarada garu have acted in the film, besides many other artistes.

The film will provide 100 per cent entertainment and the present generation will relate to it. I am proud to be part of this project.

Is there a message woven in?

The film provides entertainment with a message, which will be inspiring for the youth. It will touch people.

What were the learning lessons from Krishna and Sarada?

Krishna garu has a simple role. He plays the grandfather. I did not have any scenes with him. But I used to sit and watch him perform. He used to be so involved with the film. He would give his shot and be there on the sets and not go to the vanity van.

Sarada garu has the bigger role of the grandmother. She is full of innocence and has performed so well. That is one of the biggest pluses of the film. 

One thing I learnt from her is the sense of time. She used to report early and take care of her make-up. She has done 450 films yet she would think of this as her first film.

You are acting with Nisha Aggarwal for the first time...

Nisha plays a cute character, a village girl who tries to get my (character's) attention. The character she plays likes me from childhood. She has performed well.

How was it working with Ashok?

Ashok is one of the best dialogue writers. His dialogues touch people (here Aadi rattles off some dialogues from the film at full speed to give an idea). Ashok gives importance to every character in the film.

The hero goes through all emotions from laughing to crying etc. When Ashok narrated the script, he said the hero was like the flower in the centre and the others all around are like the bouquet as it is made up of many things.

Ashok is a good director and will get a better name with this film.

Anup Reubens is working with you for the third time. He's completing a hat-trick with Sukumarudu...

He composed for my debut film Prema Kavali and we became close friends. For Sukumarudu he has gone away from his comfort zone yet has not missed out on the nativity. The songs are different and the re-recording is something to look out for. Where is the film shot?

Some of the songs were shot in Lithuania. This was the first Indian film to be shot there. The rest of the movie was shot in Nuzvid, Vijayawada and villages around Hyderabad.

What are your expectations from the film?

We give our best and let people decide. I think people will like me.

I have said some dialogues uttered by the late NTR in his film Dana Veera Surya Karna at the Maya Sabha (Panchali Patruka). I did this in one single shot and single take! Fans of the late NTR may like this. No actor after him has done this so far.

Have you started work on your future projects?

I have already done 50 per cent of work for an entertainer directed by Subba Reddy where Senthil Kumar (Magadheera, Eega) is the cinematographer and Mani Sharma composes music. Srihari and Rakul Preet Singh (a Miss India finalist) are also acting in it.