The comeback star

I did some brainless movies after ‘Golconda High School’, so I was waiting for the right script. I took a conscious decision of not signing a new film until I get the right one. I don’t like gaps, but I was helpless - Sumanth

Actor Sumanth, grandson of the late legend Akkineni Nageswara Rao, can easily be dubbed as a comeback star. There are numerous occasions where he failed to meet the expectations of Akkineni fans but the six-feet plus actor bounced back ever so often. It is his regular absence from the silver screen that bothers his fans. “This is my third big gap. It wasn’t deliberate. I did some brainless movies after ‘Golconda High School’, so I was waiting for the right script. I took a conscious decision of not signing the film until I get the right one. I don’t like gaps, but I was helpless,” says Sumanth.

We met him over a conversation on Tuesday afternoon. “For me it always boiled down to the script besides a good team and an able director. I’m glad that things fell in place for ‘Emo Gurram Egaravachchu’ (EGE). From now, I will ensure that there won’t be big gap between my projects.”

Instrumental in Sumanth starring in ‘Satyam’, his sister Supriya heard the script of ‘EGE’ at first. “She heard it a couple of years ago and felt that I was appropriate for it. She wanted to produce it on Annapurna Studios, but the script exchanged hands before falling in the laps of director Chandra Siddharth. It came back to me and when I heard it, I liked it but felt that it was more fitting to the likes of Ravi Teja and Sunil,” he points out, adding, “Hope the sister sentiment repeats again.”

Dubbing the film as a romantic entertainer, he speaks about his character Bullabbai. “He is a village guy who is poor in academics - he fails to clear his Class X 14 times! However, he is a spirited individual. What happens when an NRI girl, who is a control freak and a strict planner, comes into his life is what the film all about. I’ve even donned a woman’s role which spans for a certain portion in the film. I haven’t seen myself in the mirror after sporting the makeup for it,” he smiles.

He ensured that his family watched the flick at a private screening. “They felt it is a positive film. They were quite shocked to see me in the role. Tata garu couldn’t control his laughter,” he recalls.

So, how does he keep himself busy considering that he is not into films on a regular note? “I’m a fitness freak, so I spend most of the time at gym. I’m also into real estate. I love watching films and sports on my home theatre.”

As assured, he is keen on signing more projects this year. “SS Kanchi who penned ‘EGE’ will be directing me this year. Then there is a film on Annapurna Studios which will begin soon,” the soft spoken actor signs off.