Sudeep, having completed 21 years in the film industry, says “cinema runs on hope”. The star says that he has a new mantra for a happy life -- ‘to just enjoy the day, not think too far’. During a media interaction at the comfort of his home, the actor shares his thoughts on the filmy world and on his upcoming film Hebbuli.
I don’t Believe in Preparing for a ROLE
Sudeep plays an army Commando in Hebbuli, a character he is doing for the first time. But the actor says that he does not believe in extensive preparation and knowing the basics of a Commando’s behaviour was enough. “I need to go deep into a character only when the movie has anything to do with the Army or the war or is a biopic,” he says, “For Hebbuli, a surface-level understanding was enough. I kept a few points in mind and learnt more on the sets.”
As a Para Commando, I am there in Full Film
The actor says that Hebbuli is not all about the Army, and he plays a para Commando in it. “The team has touched upon a new idea in Hebbuli. It will make people think because it has to do with everybody’s life. Kittappa’s (director S Krishna) way of narrating the story is beautiful,” says Sudeep. “In a nut shell, it is about army people sacrificing lives at the border to protect the Nation, but how will he react if nobody is there to protect his family here. If a trained Commando becomes a rebel, he can be the most dangerous weapon.”
Agreed without reading the script
Talking about the faith he has on the director, he says, “Kittappa and I have been colleagues for a long time.” And I gave him the date the moment he asked me... I didn’t even ask for the story. When the shoot was near, I sat with him to discuss my character and that’s when I asked him to narrate the script. The first time I agreed to a movie in 30 seconds into the narration was
Rajamouli’s Eega, the second is Hebbuli. Everything we do is not driven by time and money, there are things we do for love.”
Passionate Producers Inspire Us
Many a times Sudeep has gone out of his way to help his producers to release a film, but it is not the same with Hebbuli. The actor says that Raghunath and Umpathy are by far the best producers he has come across in his career. “The way the two producers conducted themselves made me stay and do more,” he says. “Usually I don’t get involved in the production. But, with this movie, I don’t want even the smallest miss from my end. Team discussions and arguments were settled at my little garden. Any film takes 6 to 8 months and we become a family. Today distribution contributes greatly to a film’s success and Jack Manju has evolved as a distributor.”
My Characters and Me are Similar
His performance in Hebbuli is driven by intensity in expressions, and the actor says that he cannot play characters that are far from his personaility. “I think what will
Sudeep do when he becomes an Army officer, or when Sudeep becomes a police officer or a rowdy. If I have to do a biopic, then I have to start thinking like that personality, otherwise you will see me in the film. I go by the story, but I carry my style.”
When I or my Film Trends, I am Happy
Hebbuli was trending online especially from thje time Sudeep tried a new hairstyle and still continues. “We can’t go out and sell our film,” he says. “But when children started being inspired by my style, there was a moment of happiness.”
‘I am Part of a Beautiful Picture’
Is it time to move away from commercial cinema? Sudeep responds: “Why? You people wanted me here.” He says that he had once been sidelined and that helped him learn many lessons. “If Box Office and opening make a star, then I am here,” he says. “People appear loving but along the way I have realised that it has to do commercial considerations and openings, I now work towards it.” He says that there is little thinking on his part. “Every director has coloured their painting well and I am there in the picture,” he says.
Always Big Enough
Of comparing Sandalwood with other industries? “I never looked at Dirubhai Ambani and felt that my mother and father are in any way lesser,” he says. “The same way my parents never looked at a bigger star and said that their son was any lesser. They are sitting and enjoying my success and I am travelling everywhere.”