For Rohith, it’s script over director

The actor opens up about why he is on a signing-spree, ‘Tuntari’, hitting the gym, marriage and foraying into Tamil industry...

In an industry where most star heroes take at least a year to complete a film, Nara Rohith stands out for he is doing back-to-back films without taking a pause. The actor insists he is not trying to prove a point by doing so.

“For the first six years of my career I’ve done fewer films. I’m catching up now,” he begins, while adding that he is not getting confused as far as his characters are concerned. “I travel with my directors very closely, so it helps me to differentiate one role from the other.”

The actor is presently awaiting the release of ‘Tuntari’; a remake of Tamil hit ‘Maan Karate’. ‘Savithri’ (March 25) follows ‘Tuntari’ (March 11) in the screens.

Ask him if it’s advisable to release two films in such a short span and he maintains that a film’s theatrical run has come down to only two weeks. “I think two weeks is good enough yaar.

Also, both ‘Tuntari’ and ‘Savithri’ fall under two different genres, so I don’t think it would be a problem,” he muses. In ‘Tuntari’, the actor plays a happy-go lucky Visakhapatnam chap Raju who takes to boxing due to five software employees.

Rohith avers he didn’t require to prep up much to play a boxer as boxing is just a minor part in the film. "I had to train with fight master Venkat for a couple of days to get my boxing postures right, that’s it. Other than that, I had to work on my Vizag diction.”

He admits to have been bowled over by ‘Maan Karate’. “Besides the comedy quotient, I loved the way the Siva Karthikeyan’s character was etched. We did tailor the film to suit our nativity. Siva plays a mimicry artist in the original whereas we altered it over here. Also, it (Tuntari) will be high on romance and emotions.”

The film is directed by Kumar Nagendra whose last ‘Joru’ was a box-office turkey. While it’s a common practice for many stars to shut their doors for a failed director in the industry, Rohith did the opposite.

“Just because his last film has failed, you can’t write off a director. Kumar is a good director at least that’s what I felt after watching ‘Gundello Godari’ (Kumar’s first film). He is good at his craft. It’s just that his last script didn’t work out,” he asserts.

The actor still seems to have not shed extra weight despite promising so, last year. “For my new film which flags-off in June I’m supposed to be in shape. I’m also producing it. The director clearly told me he will not start the film until and unless I lose weight,” he comments with a smirk.

He admits to have given his nod to six more scripts for this year. This apart, from the films that he’s doing presently ‘Raja Cheyyivesthe’, ‘Pandagala Vachadu’, ‘Appatlo Okadundevadu’ and ‘Kathalo Rajakumari’.

What’s more, he is yet to start filming for Avasarala Srinivas’ ‘Jo Achyutananda’. With his diary filled for the second half of 2016 too, does he rule out being on the radar of top directors? “I always believed in doing films which I like. It’s not about combinations for me. However, I’m ready to collaborate with top directors too if I come across good scripts,” he exults.

With packed-to-the-hilt schedule, is he getting free time at all? That draws a laugh as he replies, saying no. “Nonetheless, I’m enjoying my work. If I’m at home I watch TV mostly and if I have to shoot, I’m not that lazy to get up early and go to work.”

Rohith, during the promotions of ‘Asura’ last year, dropped hints of his marriage this year. But there seems to be no progress on that front. “If I marry now, given my to-do list, the girl will divorce me. I don’t think marriage is on the cards for now,” he quips.

Moving forward, he is keen on expanding his base into Tamil Nadu too. “I want to do a Tamil film because I studied in Chennai for 13 years and I’m familiar with the language. Lets’ see what the future holds for me,” Rohith concludes.