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'I don't believe in doing films for survival'
Uday Kiran, who had a stupendous start to his career a decade ago, was not seen in Telugu films for the last three years, after the release of Gunde Jhallumandi and Ekaloveyudu in 2008.
He is now back with Nuvvekadunte Nenakaddunta (releasing this Friday), a bi-lingual (Telugu-Tamil) directed by Suba Selvam where he stars with Shwetha Basu Prasad.
In this interview, the young actor talks about the new release, and the long gap between films.
Your last films released in 2008. Why the delay?
I started Nuvvekadunte Nenakaddunta along with another Tamil film which got released, while the Telugu film got delayed.
The scripts I listen to sometimes don't excite me. I am not choosy, but I tend to be more careful. People think that I don't get offers. I do get offers but the quality of stories and characters don't excite me.
I don't believe in doing films for survival. I believe if I do one good film, people should remember it for years, or even decades. People remember my third film Manasantha Nuvve even now.
'I am not choosy'
What made you sign Nuvvekkadunte Nenakkadunta?
It is an emotionally charged love story which I have never done before. I banked on my strongest point--emotion--which touches hearts.
Why did the film get delayed?
There were quite a few reasons for the delay. We had some strikes and bandhs due to the Telangana issue as well as union-related ones. Dates went helter-skelter and when the dates were reorganised, priority was given to bigger projects. It took a while to get artistes' dates and make the film.
What's different about this love story?
There are some scenes close to the interval and at the climax that are extremely emotional. It's a tearjerker. This might touch people. It's not drastically different. There are those few emotional moments.
'People can relate to me when I play a middle class boy'
Is it a bi-lingual?
Yes, it is. The travel to Chennai and shooting with Telugu and Tamil artistes took time.
When will the Tamil version (titled Oru Mutham, Oru Yudham) release?
The release may be later.
What's the role you play in the film?
I'm known to play a middle class boy--the boy next door. People can relate to me in that role. So, in this film too, I play such a boy who leads a normal life and falls in love.
Most of the time, the script is linear. In this film there is a partial-truth, partial-dream element which was exciting and which I have not done till now.
'It's a normal feel-good film'
You are acting opposite Shwetha Basu Prasad for the first time. What do you see in her as an actor?
Shwetha is a gifted actor. Acting and reacting comes naturally to her.
How was it working with Suba Selvam, the Tamil director?
He's good. His first film was Rameshwaram. It had a documentary feel.
He first came up with another script, a comedy. But this script (NN) popped up and we worked this out.
What does the film offer the audience?
It's a normal feel-good film.
'I look for a script that will deliver the goods'
Wasn't it frustrating to work on this film because of the long delays?
It was quite a pain. The schedules would be announced and then cancelled and things would go haywire.
You have signed another Telugu film Dil Kabaddi...
It's been announced but we have not begun shooting.
Do you have any other Telugu projects?
There is one which is likely to materialise shortly.
What do you look for in a script?
I really look for a script that will deliver the goods--what the audience wants. I also look at the team behind the film as the film also needs to be promoted and marketed well.