When you talk to Sandalwood star Sudeep, be prepared to be hit point-blank from close range. His responses can be as straight as an arrow, wittier at times and very, very realistic. That can make you think: "Is this guy an actor, or some modern day talk guru?" Well, whatever you think and whatever you ask, whoever you are and whatever you do, Sudeep is unmoved. When City Express had an opportunity to interact with the Eega-fame hero, we decided to dump the box-office questions, instead sought his comments on burning issues of namma Bengaluru. Excerpts.
CE: Sudeep you were on dot. Sharp 9.30 am.
S: Yes. I am on the way to a shoot.
CE: What are your thoughts on the city? Does the civic issues plaguing it concern you?
S: Well, littering, garbage, potholes and the like were all there for ages. I know lots of people are quite worried about all these issues. But, as a citizen I can do nothing about it, honestly. The population and the traffic is increasing. There is very little you can do about it. Just bear it.
CE: Interesting, so are you saying 'no hope left and it's all gone'?
S: This is a different generation. You can't expect to be in 1960 again. Competition is increasing. Vehicles are now easy to buy. It is going to be worse. You can't expect to go back.
CE: So, in your view, we have to put up with all the menace Bangalore is facing today.
S: You have no options.
CE: Don't you think you have to do something as a responsible citizen? At least as a role model?
S: By decreasing one, you are increasing another. Metros can't be done overnight. Just take the case of last five years. You are digging and digging. You are digging the city every time. In the process, you are taking another decade. By the time metro comes up, it will be vintage. The moment we dig, there is chaos and jams.
CE: All these chaos never made you angry or disgusted at any point of time?
S: We chose the city. When you choose it, you don't have any right to get angry. You can leave it if you want. If you still haven't left, it means you have chosen the city. What is the use of getting angry? I can't be talking about traffic because I am part of the traffic. I am being practical. Stay away and lead a good life. I am not a philosopher, but tell me one person who is leading a responsible life. We are very good when it comes to commenting on others.
CE: Then no change can be brought ever to Bangalore city?
S: You can't change your people, you change yourself.
CE: So, the solution...
S: As an example, I make sure that every dust dumped inside my car is disposed. Do you think I can go and tell the same to others? I can only tell it to my daughter, who will follow my instructions. Who else will follow? Who else will listen?
CE: Okay, what are your early memories of the city?
S: It is all captured in the camera. I still love a couple of roads. I still see lot of trees near Sankey Tank. When we were young, the M G Road and Brigade Road were iconic places. The buildings and the looks were the gift which British had left and gone. Going around M G Road was itself a major programme. Without a penny we walked around. Now If you open the door, there is a mall.
CE: What is your take on our leaders who rule the city?
S: We have elected our leaders. They need to take some hard decisions. It can't be soft all the time. Emotions cannot run the country or city. We are all emotional people. Emotion might help to connect with people, but not help run the government. Emotions cannot make my car run. It is the firm and timely decisions you take which will make all the difference.
CE: What's the one thing you love doing in Bangalore?
S: I love travelling everyday home. That itself is a journey. I am used to the noise this city makes, without which I can't live. And the one thing I like the most is getting home soon.