Actor Prudhvi Raj has been cast only in comedy roles in Telugu movies. Like Gundu Hanumantha Rao and a few other comedians, he started out by playing serious roles in the 1980s. His skill for dramatic roles has been undercut by typecasting. Playing the '30 Years Industry' character in Krishna Vamsi's Khadgam changed the nature of his filmography.
Finally, it took a Tamil movie to break out of the mold. In this week's underrated movie Veera Dheera Sooran (starring Vikram in the lead), Prudhvi Raj plays Ravi, a local strongman whose family is terrified in the course of a night. You have to watch the movie to believe it. Prudhvi Raj's body language, the palpable tension on his face, and the understated portrayal of a vulnerable character are excellent.
Telugu cinema must explore more of this side to Prudhvi Raj's talent. A Tamil film could do it with sincerity because the actor doesn't come with baggage. In Telugu, he has to do a lot of image makeover. Which is not easy.
