Sudheer Karamana’s career can largely be defined as versatile. He has played it all; the villain, funny man and the side-kick. But, the actor says his career in movies is nothing but coincidence. He never asked for chances, didn’t create a certain ‘image’ and never plotted to make it big. But, things fell into place so precisely that today the actor is in a secure place with a steady graph.
As he completes the 100th movie in his career, Sudheer is also making another milestone. He will be seen playing the hero in Aval, a movie by Sanjay Shanmughan. In a tete-a-tete with Express, Sudheer talks about his eventful ride in movies
Hitting 100
It has been an unpredictable journey for me and I am thankful. My 100th movie is Aby, directed by Srikanth Murali where Vineeth Sreenivasan plays the lead. A function is being organised at University College, Thiruvananthapuram, where I began my life as an artist, on December 29 to honour me. Education Minister C Raveendranath will be the chief guest.
Playing hero
I have known the director for over one year. He approached me with the script of Aval almost two years back, but then we thought it needed to be reworked. Aval will go on floors in December and it is a socially-relevant subject with tinges of an off-beat venture. Since, it is a serious movie, we have decided not to include any elements of humour. But, I don’t think of it as a breakthrough too. It is just that the movie and the story were
convincing enough to accept the character.
Playing the soldier
It is sort of a coincidence that I am playing a soldier in two back-to-back projects. Besides Aval where I play a military guy, I play a soldier in 1971 Beyond the Borders too. It is directed by Major Ravi and has Mohanlal in the lead. However, both the characters have nothing in common other than the fact they are soldiers.
No stereotypes
I don’t want to be stereotyped. Whatever the role is, I will do it if I am convinced. Even in humour, I don’t want to be typecast as a comedian. ‘Physical comedy’ is not my thing and I tell directors who approach me the same.
Let people laugh if they find it humorous, like in Sapthamasri Thaskara. In that movie, I didn’t do anything for the sake of comedy but the character did elicit some laughs. The same way, I am not looking for solo hero or villain roles. I am open to doing anything.
Future works
Actually, I am shuttling between sets. After wrapping up Beyond Borders, I am heading to the sets of Kamarasambavam for a three-day project. Then I am also doing a V K Prakash movie.
Controversy
I am in the midst of a controversy now. The management of the school where I work as a principal are moving against me to oust me. I work in movies with the permission of the Government and I stick to all the norms stipulated. Though I am on leave, I keep a tab of the functioning of the school. I have no
intention of quitting the job and it hurts me that the whole episode has been turned against me.