October 01, 2009 Y. Sunitha Chowdhary
Srikanth's 100th film is releasing on October 2nd and he's made sure that it is not another regular formula story. A couple of years back he approached Krishna Vamsi and requested him to direct it but the director said he would do it only if he finds a right subject and he did.
The actor's friend CR Manohar from Bangalore told him not to worry about the budget and took the responsibility of producing it. With everything falling in place the film went on the sets. The story is about a rowdy who becomes a politician, discards the path of violence and turns totally non-violent, what he achieves from it?
"In Khadgam I turn very aggressive when someone sets the national flag on fire, the feelings are extreme here too but it starts on a satirical note and takes various turns. Every year we celebrate Gandhi Jayanti but it's a mere formality, we don't follow Mahatma's principles, the celebration becomes pointless," says the actor.
He adds that the film educates too, there are many people who don't know that it is Pingali Venkaiah who designed our national flag. The film throws light, enlightens us on many unsung heroes through Ram Jagan, who plays the role of a street player.
Srikanth began his career in 1991, he came to this industry with an intention of playing atleast one role i.e., of Lord Krishna, but became successful in becoming a minimum guarantee hero, doing films that appeal to 'family' audiences. He never attempted anything unique or put his producers in risky situations. If the films got stuck in the cans, he put in his money and bailed the producer out by releasing it. Nidhi, Panchadara Chilaka, Manasistha Raa, etc., are some of them.
He says, "I can't take tensions, I want a peaceful life. I put in a lot of hardwork but I can't take risks or put people in risk. Parigetthi paalu taagatam kanna nilabadi neellu taagadam better."
Srikanth, nevertheless has an impressive list of films like Pelli Sandadi, Preyasi Rave, Aahvanam, Khadgam, Operation Duryodhana that could be added to his credentials. Ask him if he wanted to create a shock value to Operation Duryodhana by walking almost nude on the streets, he denies it categorically. It was necessary for the story he quips, "I too hesitated when the scene was narrated to me, felt shy but when the heroines are wearing swim suits, bikinis, this isn't a big deal."
Does he think it's easy for the current crop of actors to complete 100 films like him? Srikanth comes up with a supporting line, "Tell me to do 100 films again now, I won't be able to that. Today the situation is different. Earlier we would finish a film in 60 days flat and we would get more work but now with perfect planning one can't do more than two films a year, lot of factors are involved."
There is another dream that has been fulfilled. Srikanth married a lady of his choice. He is happily wedded to actress Ooha and is blessed with three children Roshan, Medha and Rohan (3 months old) all blue-eyed like her. He says she makes sure that life is peaceful at home, it gets lot better because she has been an actress and is very understanding. Yes, his parents live with him..it's a joint family, the picture is perfect.
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