Flying high

After a promising start with ‘Andala Rakshasi,’ Naveen Chandra had featured in some five-odd films as a lead with little luck. But he is back in the spotlight, courtesy ‘Nenu Local’, where he played a cop Siddharth who yearns for the love of Keerthy (played by Keerthy Suresh).

While the part had grey shades to it some extent, it didn’t deter people from loving him. “I have been flooded with messages on WatsApp and Facebook ever since the film opened and everybody is expecting a reply,” he says, clearly happy with all the attention that he is coming his way. “After all, it’s been sometime a film of mine generated this kind of response.”

Naveen, who got into shape just in a month to play a suave cop, continues, “Many people are complimenting me, saying that I was tailor-made for the part.

In fact, some people recognised me only after a sequence (the hospital scene where he falls for Keerthy) showed me in my trademark beard.”

The success of ‘Nenu Local,’ he admits, has opened new doors for him. “People who I don’t know are approaching me with their scripts. I feared getting typecast after ‘Nenu Local’ but luckily I’ve been getting a lot of lead roles,” he exults, admitting that his transformation has also ensured that he is getting action scripts. “Now, I am required to maintain this physique.”

Next up, while he will be seen in ‘Chandamama Raave’, which he labels as an intense love story, he has also green-lit debutant Anil’s as-yet-untitled film.

Anil worked on films like ‘Kshanam’ and ‘Naruda Donaruda’. “It’s a concept-based love story where I will be seen as a reckless guy full on attitude. Telugu girl Shalini V is making her debut with the film. It’s been 11 days since we went to floors. It’s a Visakhapatnam-set drama with some parts being planned in Australia.”