Olave Mandara proved to be a big hit for Srikanth popularly known as Sriki to the industry. “Yes, I got a lot of appreciation and the film gave me a good name,” he says. Though success of his debut film brought him recognition and gave way for many offers, Sriki waited for a long time to finalise on his projects. “I was late in choosing my next project but I did not vanish from the industry. I went through almost 30 to 40 stories but was not satisfied as the script did not give any importance to the hero,” says this young actor who goes by the character where he desires to play the lead role. “I can definitely prove my talent with these subjects. Olave Mandara had a different tone and that made me think about the subjects that I would prefer to do in future. My character should be given importance in the films, I take up,” says Sriki, who also chooses scripts only if it’s commercially viable. “People sit for two- hours- fifteen minutes to watch a feature film. Though my intention is to be a good artist Let me not bore them by just running a documentary.”
The eight-pack abs which the actor developed is not particularly for the two films, he’s currently working on. “I was inspired by Hrithik Roshan in Agneepath. At the same time, I was planning to do a film, titled Kothwala, a subject based on ancient and present, which needed a fit body. But then, B3 and Renigunta (a remake of a Tamil film) happened. These two films did not require an eight-pack but demanded a lot of acting. However, still this build up has given me more confidence. I’m happy to have possessed one as it’s not an easy job,” he explains.
Sriki, who will be working on two projects simultaneously will start shooting with B3, a psycho-thriller which will star Harshika Ponacha and will be directed by Gansham. “From May 14 onwards, I’ll be in Mandya shooting for Anekere Beedhi. Drummer Deva’s son, Josh, who has worked as an assosiate in Tamil films will be debuting as a director with this movie. Renigunta was a box office hit in Tamil. Josh plans to get the same result by remaking it in Kannada with some changes to suit our nativity,” he says.
A fine art graduate from Chitrakala Parishath, showbiz came into this actor’s mind not because of ‘the glamour of stardom’. “The thought that I can act came to me when I was studying art. My father supported me by financing my first film and that’s how my journey started. If I was not acting, I would have been a good painter or a builder,” says Sriki, who’s key to be a successful hero is dedication and respecting the director. “I believe in doing complete justice to the director’s imagination and hard work,” he says.
Though producers are scared to invest money on young heroes, Sriki believes that it isn’t the case with every hero. “Of course, producers are scared to put in their money on youngsters, which is not the case in Tamil and Telugu industry. New comers are encouraged like established heroes. Here, people are intelligent. They invest only after they see the report of an actor.” He also doesn’t agree that this industry goes by the complexion of the hero. “When I go out, I have always been recognised as Olave Mandara hero. “They are some people who come up to me to say that they are fed up of seeing the routine kind of stories and they would like something different. I feel happy when I hear this from them. I feel, I’m in the right place,” he says.
He’s also taken his first step in Kollywood by remaking Olave Mandara in Tamil. “The Tamil remake is titled Kaadhal Kalaivani. Currently the post production work is going on,” he says.