A person cannot always manage two jobs and also be successful in both. But doctor-actor Bharat Reddy handles both his roles with elan. Though he has done films like Unnaipol Oruvan (2009), Payanam (2011), Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal (2014) and Thozha, Bharat is turning a full-fledged hero in Tamil with the horror thriller Bayam Oru Payanam, directed by Mani Sharma.
A cardiac surgeon, who works for a leading multispecialty hospital in Hyderabad, Bharat manages to juggle between two diverse careers. “I have done quite a few films in Telugu as a hero, but this is the first time I am carrying a whole movie on my shoulders in Tamil. I am equally nervous and excited,” he tells CE. “I played a tough cop in Eenadu (2009), which was a hit in Telugu. Since then, I’ve been receiving similar offers. But Tamil films are close to my heart,” he says.
He continues the conversation with a quick pun: “I deal with the heart! So whatever I do naturally comes from my heart. I pursued medicine because my mother was particular about it, but movies have been my passion. Despite tight schedules, I keep in touch with producers and want to be a part of good films. Acting de-stresses me,” he smiles.
Speaking about Bayam Oru Payanam, which has Meenakshi Dixit, Vishakha Singh, Urvashi and Singam Puli in important roles, he shares how the team had to shoot in Munnar for 25 days braving leeches and snakes. “It was both challenging and scary. The movie will be on the lines of The Exorcist (1973) and Conjuring (2013), and will haunt the audience. With many horror movies getting released, we wanted to make sure that ours was different; devoid of any sentiments or humour,” he explains.
Unlike in films where ghosts are stereotyped, the ghost in this film has a purpose. “The story is about a photographer who goes on late-night assignments. How one such incident becomes a spine-chilling journey, and whether he returns safely, forms the rest of the story. Everyone has a phobia. We have tried to portray how one’s life would be if it was ruled by fear,” he explains.
Bharat, who is fluent in eight languages including Armenian and Russian, counts himself lucky to have acted alongside superstars like Kamal Haasan, Mohanlal and Venkatesh early in his career. “They taught me to be grounded and also good to people. I want to work with directors who experiment with new themes and ideas,” he shares.
So, have films affected his practice? “Not at all. I have learnt to switch between roles. Initially, it was difficult. But now, I am doing it effortlessly,” he says. And what’s next? “I am doing Ghazi, a Tamil-Telugu-Hindi trilingual with Rana Daggubati, Kay Kay Menon, Atul Kulkarni and Taapsee Pannu, directed by Sankalp. I believe this is the first time a movie is being made about the Navy,” he smiles.
The film is about the Pakistani submarine PNS Ghazi sinking off the coast during the Indo-Pak war in Vishakapatnam around 70s. “It’s an interesting experimental pan-Indian film. As of now my focus is completely on this movie,” he adds.