Srikanth’s makeover for Vamsi’s film

Box-office results hardly matter to actor Srikanth or for that fact his image too. He believes in surging ahead as his participation in a film gives employment to many. “I’ve been like this for the past few years,” he insists, adding that ‘Kshatriya’, his new film, has met his expectations. “Surprisingly, the response towards the film is more than what I’ve expected,” he minces no words. “There was no negative talk. Some people felt that the film demanded two more songs.”

It is for the first time that the actor has tried his hands at suspense. “I like the genre and I’m a big fan of horror thrillers. When director Udaya Chandu came up with the script of ‘Kshatriya’, I advised him to work for a tight screenplay because a thriller’s success ratio depends on the director’s skill. During the dubbing, I felt the pace was slow but when I watched the film after re-recording I felt it was apt,” he recalls.

The actor, a hit when it comes to family entertainers, feels that the thinking pattern of new age filmmakers has changed. “SV Krishna Reddy and EVV’s films had strong family content - the reason why their films did exceptionally well. New director’s scripts are only penning scripts that match their sensibilities,” he says.

While he has a good line-up of films like ‘Malligadu Marriage Bureau’, ‘Veta’ and ‘Mondodu’ waiting for release, the actor will be also foraying into Tamil cinema. “To be directed by Selva, it will be launched on January 17. I play a hero and a villain in the film,” he reveals.

However, the one project that has kept Srikanth on his toes is Krishna Vamsi’s new film in which Ram Charan plays the lead role. “It’s a character that befits a senior hero and has come at the right juncture to me. It is high on entertainment and I play a jobless guy who wanders on the road. It is also the first time that Vamsi is making film a full-fledged entertainer,” he points out and continues, “Kajal Aggarwal is paired opposite Charan while the hunt for a girl opposite me is still on. Tamil actor Rajkiran is also playing a significant role.”

Would he be going for a makeover for the role? “I have very less time in hands as my portions will start from February. Vamsi has asked me to grow my hair for the role,” he smiles.

One more reason for the actor to smile is that his son Roshan is facing the arc lights for ‘Rudhramadevi’. “He is playing Rana’s younger self in the film. It was not long ago he said that he is interested in cricket but looks like he had a change of mind,” he smiles wide, adding that he can do ‘whatever he wants to after growing up’.