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		Home > Interviews > Sumanth Click here for exclusive pics of Sumanth. An Interview With Sumanth A great actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao's grandson, another great actor Nagarjuna's nephew, the real life hero of a heroine Keerthi Reddy – what better profile can a movie personality ask for? Well, Sumanth is the star that with these impressive credentials brightens the Telugu screen. Sumanth has the distinction of beginning his career with flops in a row – a distinction he could have better done without. The failure run ended with his success in 'Satyam.' His earlier 'Yuvakudu,' did reveal his talent but success eluded it. "After all success is what matters," commented critics, acknowledging at the same time his potential as an actor. Failures, however, failed to depress him. His perseverance and the encouragement from his granddad and uncle carried him on. In such circumstances 'Satyam' propped him up. 'Gowri' though a flop again, did show his talent once more. His current starrers, 'Mahanandi,' and 'Godavari,' people are sure, are going to cement his career strongly. Here are the excerpts from an interview CineGoer.com had the privilege of having with him, in connection with the about to be released 'Mahanandi.' Coming as you do from a family renowned for its actors, what is it you want to achieve? I want to be as eminent as them, and be counted on a level with them. I want to be acclaimed as a great actor of the Akkineni lineage. Is your claim to greatness solely due to the Akkineni legacy or because of your own talent? Any debutante's claim to greatness rests on the family background. That, of course, is a plus point. In spite of your talent and best efforts, however, comparisons with the elder actors of the family are inevitable. I feel that I stand nowhere in comparison with the earlier actors of our family. I can't even hold a candle to their abilities. At the same time, I wish to stress that this kind of legacy is a burden and an obstacle to your career too. While tradition and legacy do play a role in shaping the career of an actor like me, with granddad and uncle influencing my style and helping my image, a stage will be there when I develop my individual style. I look forward to the day when I can stand on my own, shedding the burden of my legacy. Uncle and granddad are sure to help me in this. That's my ambition. How did you feel, when after a series of flops earning you the reputation of a flop hero, your 'Satyam' was a big hit? Yes, my dubious distinction as a flop hero did depress me a lot. The hit that 'Satyam' turned out to be gave new energy and new hope. It comforted me to know that it wiped off my earlier record of flops. Producers approached me with offers. 'Gowri,' released just then bombed at the box office. It was some consolation, however, to hear people say that though the movie was a flop, I didn't fail as an actor. Has there been any movie, other than 'Satyam,' which you expected to be a hit? I liked 'Yuvakudu,' a lot. People who saw the rushes felt it was good. The credit for it goes to the director. But it failed at the box office much against the expectations of all. Even those who had acknowledged my talent as an actor thought that my career was finished. The time had not yet come for this young man to shine, they said. Just as I was thinking about the movie, I had the offer of the lead role in 'Satyam.' That propped up my career. Talent is not all. Success is purely a matter of chance and luck; I have come to believe in that. Following the success of 'Satyam' big producers are ready to cast me in their movies. I prefer to be a director's artiste, to be entirely guided by them and my talent to be exploited by them. Which 'director artiste' movies, as you like to call them help your image? All my movies. People who saw my first movie, 'Prema Katha,' while appreciating the novelty in the movie observed that it was not like Ram Gopal Varma's movie. Sumanth's performance as an artiste is not so bad, they commented. Some suggested that I improve my voice and intonation. 'Yuvakudu,' was identified as a typical director's movie. It brought me good recognition. Are you a mass hero or a class hero? Actors of the Akkineni clan are all class heroes. That doesn't mean that I claim to be a class hero. I don't want to be identified as either type, by doing the one or the other type of roles. I want to be known as an actor who can act any type of role with equal skill and talent. Any objections to acting with other heroes? Absolutely none. You learn a lot when you act along with other heroes. Such an opportunity elevates the actor in you. I am ready to do such roles, if any producer comes forward with such scripts. 'Mahanandi,' is an example of a multi hero type movie. I like multi starrer movies. Is it true that producers wishing to cast you in their movies should first talk to your grandfather and uncle, and that is the reason for some hesitating to give you offers? Is that so? This is news to me. Nothing of the sort. Any producer can approach me straight, discuss their scripts with me and make their offers to me straight. Let none have such misapprehensions. Have you any particular type of roles that you want to do? I'll think of such things only after establishing myself firmly in filmdom. Horror movies, however, are not my cup of tea. I am firm about it. Details of your present movies? 'Mahanandi' is complete and is ready for release. I have okayed two more movies; I have to give them the dates. 'Godavari,' is in progress. Katragadda Lokesh's production is about to begin.