Ravichandran is drawn to character roles, and it has its own advantages. The actor always manages to catch the audience’s eye, despite sharing screen space with another star.
He is back to playing another key role in Hebbuli, this time with Sudeep. Ravichandran plays the role of an IAS officer and Sudeep’s brother. We hear the story revolves around the Crazy Star.
Ravichandran, who has always shared a good camaraderie with Sudeep, tells City Express that he enjoys working with Kichcha. “There is mutual admiration. He has never said ‘No’ to any of my projects and nor have I to his,” says the senior actor. “Sudeep talks about me in every interview. I don’t know if it is his affection for me, but our bond remains strong. He wants me to be there for everything he does. I believe that if a person loves you, you should love them back in the same measure. If a character role I play adds to the film, I don’t mind being the lead’s brother or
father. Moreover, Sudeep has a good instinct, it works out well for both of us.”
Apprehensive about Character Roles today
The actor does not mind doing a film even if he has just two scenes in it, provided the character he plays is important. “The makers should understand the respect an artiste commands from the audience and sketch a character accordingly,” says the actor. “They should not make use of me just for screen presence because it won’t help them too. I tell the
directors that I want to add value to the film.”
Stars in key roles adds Value
Prema Loka is big eventoday not just because of the lead actor, says Ravichandran, the supporting cast was equally good. “We had an actor like Srinath as father to Juhi Chawla, Lokesh as father to me, a principal played by Prabhakar, guest appearance by Vishnuvardhan... all these characters played by the stars made the film big. In Puttnanja, Umashree added much value to the film just as Mega Star Chiranjeevi did in Sipaayi with his guest appearance,” he says.
Cutting Down on Character Roles
Demonetisation has slowed down his projects, he says, and adds that he should not be typecast into a character artiste.
“I don’t mind doing characters roles, but I don’t like to be branded in any way,” he says.
“This year, I will return to myself because of my fans. I get a lot of messages from them saying they don’t like seeing me doing character roles. I am not looking to play a lover boy all through my career, but if someone offers me even a villain’s role I am ready to do it. Filmmakers should realise that artistes who play fathers or uncles can still be the hero of a film. Sometimes I agree to projects for the money because I lost quite a bit with my last film and I need to make that back.”