I decided to play safe

Srinivas Avasarala who has been able to carve a niche for himself in the industry as a bankable comic actor, will be making his directorial debut with the romantic comedy film ‘Oohalu Gusagusalade’ starring debutantes Shaurya and Rashi Khanna.

The actor-turned-director says that he is “happy with how the film has turned out” and adds, “I am not a wee bit nervous. I am expecting Friday to be an extension of my satisfaction.” But it came as a surprise when he decided to venture into direction in spite of his successful innings as an actor. When quizzed as to how it happened, he says, “I had written a script and it was a natural decision to wield the megaphone. I don’t want to settle just as an actor. I want to try everything and my only intention is to be part of good films – be it as an actor or director.”

Being an actor, it must have been a completely different experience venturing into direction? “Definitely! It’s a great feeling to control the entire storytelling process. But acting is all the more challenging because trying to fit into someone else’s imagination is a difficult task.”

‘Oohalu…’ is a romantic entertainer he tells us as he adds that choosing this as a debut vehicle was because “it’s a safe choice”. “The film is commercially viable and easy to execute; I decided to play safe. The film isn’t anything different but is definitely going to be a pleasant watch. Instead of calling it a romantic comedy, I’d call it a humorous love story,” he says. But he avers that he is “sick and tired of romance and comedy” and would love to try his hands in a different genre soon.

Now that he has ventured into the love-dovey genre, what could the audiences expect from it? “As I said earlier, it will be a pleasant watch. But added to that is the comedy that will surely work. I am positive about it.”

What about his lead actors Rashi and Shaurya? “They were amazing. I tested Shaurya for nearly a month before he was finalised for the film. And Rashi… we just came across her. She has a tricky role to play and I think she has managed to pull it off with ease. I am lucky to have worked with the two talented actors. ”
The film’s promos suggest that Srinivas Avasarala will be playing a crucial role in the film and one may assume that it has negative shades to it. But he refutes the assumption as he explains, “Every story needs an obstacle to move forward and I may be that obstacle. But my role isn’t evil and and the audiences will not dislike me!”

Meanwhile, the title ‘Oohalu Gusagusalade’ is drawing some interest towards the film. ‘Murmuring thoughts’ is what it could roughly be translated to. Avasarala says, “The title literally means nothing. But the poetic beauty of the phrase and the fact that it conveys romantic feelings is why we selected it after considerations of some 50 other options.”