Virat Karrna is making a debut this Friday (September 29) with 'Peddha Kapu 1'. In this interview, the newcomer talks about working with Srikanth Addala.
As the brother-in-law of producer Miryala Ravinder Reddy, Virat knew what he was up to. The film, which is set in the 1980s, traces the political dynamics in a village after the entry of NTR into politics. "My character's rise amid the challenges posed by my rivals is what the first part is about," Virat reveals.
After my college, I worked on 'Jaya Janaki Nayaka' on the production side. Since my passion has always been acting, I was not content. I looked after the production works because of my personal interest in films. I was trained in acting by coach Satyanand garu for a few months. He made me shed my inhibitions. He prodded me to adapt to the character I would get to play as an actor.
My character's name is Peddha Kapu. On the very first day of the shoot, I had to participate in an action scene. Since the fights had to be realistic, it was not easy. The dialogues had to be mouthed in a natural way. They shouldn't look cinematic because I am a commoner in the movie. Action director Peter Hein worked on the movie for many days on end.
The director felt that my physique and personality would suit an action drama more than a love story. The story takes place in the 1980s and how the onset of a new political party affects him. I have combination scenes with the likes of Anasuya Bharadwaj. Some scenes are going to induce goosebumps. Nowhere does the character arc of Peddha Kapu slacken.
My director would ask me to be understated. He would curb my over-enthusiasm to overplay the character.
We did acting workshops to understand the behaviour of people in rural areas. The mood-setting was taken care of by pre-production workshops. I got to work with a number of senior artists, each of whom treated me as an artist rather than the male lead. Everyone was so involved that we all felt sad when the shoot was over. The good thing is that there is going to be 'Peddha Kapu 2'.
I am a die-hard fan of Prabhas. Since my childhood, I have been his fan. I am glad that my looks are being compared to that of the Prabhas of the early days. I am waiting for his response if 'Peddha Kapu 1' becomes a hit.
I am not caste-conscious. I don't know about castes. Social change can come about only if every one of us works towards it. It doesn't happen with one person's thinking undergoing change.
I am a bit anxious about whether the audience are going to accept me. It gives me relief that the teaser and trailer have been liked by everyone.
I want to try out all genres, be they action movies, love stories or others. My mother and my sister are very happy that I have chosen this path. During the making of 'Peddha Kapu 1', I didn't involve myself in anything other than my own work. I am excited about starting the shoot of 'Peddha Kapu 2'. It will go on the floors in November.
There was a time when I wanted to become a pilot and then a cricketer. But, for the most part, acting has interested me. So far, I haven't made any friends among actors in Tollywood. For now, my entire focus is on my craft. I interact with my acquaintances in the direction department.
