Vamsi Krishna, the latest baddie in K Town, seems to be making rapid inroads into the industry. The 20 films old Tollywood actor has an impressive line-up in Tamil now, with director Sargunam’s Naiyyandi, Saravanan’s Ivan Vera Mathiri, AR Murugadoss production’s Maan Karate and Arun Vijay’s home production Deal.
However, films happened by accident for him. Speaking to CE, Vamsi reveals, “I grew up with the smell of spirit at home, with both parents being doctors! I was determined to pursue another profession! So I went to London to do an international management course. During one home visit, at Hyderabad airport, I met director Gautham Vasudev Menon. We got chatting and he offered me a cop’s role in Gharshana, the remake of Kaaka Kaaka. It was tempting since it would take only 40 days, after which I could pursue further studies in the US. So I took the leap but got hooked to films thereafter and didn’t go to the US! Today I’m an actor only because of Gautham Menon.”
Gautham seems to figure significantly in Vamsi’s film journey. For, strangely enough, it was Gautham’s assistant Magizh Thirumeni who gave him his Kollywood break with Thadaiyara Thakka. The role got him noticed and Sargunam cast him as a village goon in the Dhanush starrer Naiyyandi. “Dhanush is extremely chilled out and very humble despite his star status,” recalls Vamsi.
Talking about Ivan Veramathiri, Vamsi quips, “Vikram Prabhu and I have become ‘blood brothers’ due to the innumerable bleeding injuries during action scenes! Despite hailing from Sivaji Ganesan’s family, he’s completely down-to-earth and one of the sweetest people I know.” Vamsi plays a goon who controls the city and is the main protagonist in the film. In Deal, he plays Karthika’s brother while in Maan Karate, though the film is an entertainer, he has a serious role with shades of grey. So far, K-Town has taught him a lot. He recalls, “Saravanan is a perfectionist and immersed in his work on sets. Sargunan is chilled out and we never know when work is done! Sivagnanam is open to fresh ideas.”
As for his K Town plans, the tall and hunky actor says, “I’m taking it one day at a time. I want directors to think of me as a value addition to their project and I want to do justice to their expectations.”