Video Songs Reviews Wallpapers Events Gallery Trailers Exclusive Contact Us
		Home > Interviews > Rajendra Prasad Click here for exclusive pics of Rajendra Prasad. I will continue to be a comedian - Rajendra Prasad Lead roles are not limited to the so called heroes – even a comedian can be a hero - that is, the leading character in the movie. This is what Dr. Rajendra Prasad the leading comedian, acclaimed as the greatest artiste among the Telugu comedians from Andhra Pradesh to America, has proved by his sheer talent. Awarded an honorary doctorate by Andhra University, Dr. Rajendra Prasad's latest honor includes the Nandi award by the AP government. Cinegoer.com took the occasion to interview him. Here are the excerpts. You have risen to great heights as a comedian. Do you agree that your appearances on the screen are not now as many as used to be? You have said it. I have risen to great heights. True, my appearances are now not as frequent as they have been. This does not mean that I am not in demand. It is just that the scripts don't happen to be the type that I can be cast in. With the image I have earned as a comedy hero I am always ready to do movies that suit my kind of talent. Of late you have been seen in movies in which yours is not the dominant role? I have anticipated this question. I have acted in 'Ninne Premistha', 'Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi', 'Srirama Chandrulu', in the company of those, who in your words, are either of a higher level than I or of equal level with me, without my getting the prime role. There are parallel heroes in these movies. The producers wanted me and I accepted the roles with my image in view and because the roles suit me. I felt very happy to hear that the movies succeeded because of me. In future, are you going to do only lead roles, or as you say even other roles that may not sustain your image? This is rather an inconvenient question. People regard me as a comedy hero. That being so, I sometimes wonder if people appreciate my doing a new role just because I feel like doing it for a change. However when I was making a mark as a hero, I did do slightly different roles in Madanagopaludu, Jhansi Rani, etc. Though, they didn't help me much. What were your feelings when even as a comedian you did roles with some variety in 'Madam' and 'Rambantu'? True. I was very hopeful that my roles in these movies would enhance my image. Though they did help my reputation as an actor, they dealt a severe blow to me as a producer. The lesson - never try or even think of producing a movie. How did you get the idea of entering the film world? I belong to a middle class family. Dad was a school teacher. After graduating in engineering I began hunting for a job. Sometimes when NTR visited Vijayawada meals used to be sent to him from our home. On one such occasion I went to see him. It was then I wondered why I should not become an actor. My father could not hear any such thing. But as I persisted he let me join the film institute from where I passed out with a gold medal. But getting roles in movies proved very tough in the beginning. The rest of my life is known to you. Did you go in search of opportunities or did they come after you.? First I went in search of them. Then they came after me. In fact I shaped my career to suit the opportunities. I was not born with a silver spoon. My talent had made me what I am today. Debutante directors and second grade producers of the days gone by found in Rajendra Prasad a god sent. Why don't they offer you roles any more? You put this question to them. I am happy I helped so many to come up. That's the way the movie world goes. Once people prosper they forget those responsible for their prosperity. Not that I don't wish to act in their movies. It took eight years for me to taste my first super success. You have made it to the top as a comedy hero. You have been admired as a 'laughter doctor.' How is it there has been none else on Telugu screen to rise to your heights? That is true. We haven't had another comedy hero. There have been an actor or two who could act like me, though I don't wish to name them. I felt relieved that here were some who could succeed me. But then, no, they couldn't sustain themselves. A comedian acting a hero's role is different from a hero taking on a comedian's role. Some are confused about this. When I turned a hero some were sure I was out. But that did not happen. Commitment is important. Only because I have commitment I have been able to stay so long. Is it because you are committed that you did not take up other roles? True. If I had deviated into other roles perhaps my screen life would not have continued so long. Action and comedy are the things that stay on forever. I am of the conviction that given these two, failure is impossible. There were comments that when you were on a success run you were proud? Its natural- this kind of talk, especially when one is successful. It is the result of envy. I did succeed as a supporting artiste. But I wasn't very happy then. But when the Andhra University honored me with a Doctorate I told myself, "Ok, this is where I stand." I felt happy but I have never been proud. If I had successes, I had shocking failures too. As a man of 49 years young and as an actor 27 years going what are the valuable lessons you have learned? As an actor and comedian I have had the blessings and good wishes of my fans. I cherish them. I will try to provide my audience with the type of comedy they expect of me. No trying my hand at production again. The talk is going round that you are grooming your son into movies, though you have come up the hard way. Is it true? He says he wants to act. You will know the details soon. Why has been the release of 'Pellam Picchodu' delayed? That's for the producers to answer. But it's a good movie of the level of 'Mister Pellam', 'Pelli Pusthakam'. It's a family movie. It is sure to appeal to women. You wish to continue as a comedy hero. You can set a new trend as a director of comedy movies. That makes me think of it. After the death of Jandhyala we haven't had another director to fill the void. I'll give it a thought if there are producers. What are the movies you are doing now? 'Pellam Picchodu' is ready for release. Another movie under SV Krishna Reddy's direction is being shot. I have okayed two more movies. Unfortunately I'm not getting scripts that suit my taste and my kind of talent.