Sunil - Interview

No emotions are easier to evoke than fear and pity. But comedy is hard. It takes great and correct timing to tell a joke and get a round of applause. Sunil has been here for quite some time but his struggle to make it the film industry began ages back.

Sunil is polite and distant with strangers but during an interview, he compulsively is open and forthright. His language is endearing and appears honest. His latest film Andala Ramudu is running to packed houses and it's his time of glory has begun. There is only thing he keeps making it clear that he is a comedian and he will be one. He wants to continue doing small roles.

Venu Madhav after acting in Hungama and Brahmanandam also after acting as a hero reportedly said they will nevr try a comedy hero's role again whatsoever. Ask SV Krishna Reddy and he says the reason is that the comedian loses his importance the moment he acts in a full fledged hero oriented film and they became the character thereby losing their identity. But if he does his original tiny act he is recognised for what he is. But see what Sunil has got to say on this, "A comedian can last long and his life span on the screen can be extended by updating the skills and improvising performances. But a comedy hero can last only two or three years. I will not work as a comedy hero anymore but will give it a thought if only the story is the hero and i am the comedian. The filmmakers spend so much money and invest ona hero like me , i can't afford to see it not run. I don't want anyone to suffer on account of me. So may families are dependent on this one film. I can still work in movies and make money but what about others."

Sunil adds, "I am saying this because i feel it's difficult for a comedian to sustain interest amongst audiences for a long time.. the story should work in his favour. Tell him about Rajendra Prasad's career and he says he's just not an exception. "I have never considered him as a comedy hero, for me he is alawys a hero. He is exceptional in doing tragedy scenes. He is actually a hero but comedy dominates in his films. Rajendra Prasad is a great actor capable of doing all the navarasas."

About his commitment to work the actor adds, "Once i take up a job i don't rest till it's completed. For me it's a responsibility...it's a matter of honour and pride. Once i have been narrated my role i don't even enter the director's department. In Bhimavaram there is a theatre called Nataraj and listening to Chiranjeevi's songs i would dance outside. I got many a occasion in the past five years to dance in the films but i didn't dare because of the fear of overcating. My mother always said that what ever you learn never gose waste and that i have used those moments for this film has proved her words right. It gives me great satisfaction to say that my film is running in the same theatre where i longed to get inside to watch Chiranjeevi's film once."

Ask him about the working experience in Andala ramudu and Sunil says, "The toughest job was completing the film. I remember shooting for Bommarillu, Boss and Stalin and then jumping over to Boss in the same Annapurna studio. I worked day and night and the long wait looks so fruitfull now. Aarti Agarawal has done a tremendous job and she is the soul of the film."