Superstar's second coming
Y. SUNITA CHOWDHARY
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Krishna walks down the memory lane on the occasion of his 63rd birthday.
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IN ALL HIS GLORY Krishna in the numerous roles he played.
Tracing the life of one of cinema's all-time superstars is not an easy job but when the 63-year-old actor himself talks of his journey with the euphoria and energy of a teenager, you can't miss the opportunity. It is celebration time in the family because decades after Alluri Seetaramaraju, another film is surpassing records and it's no easy achievement. In a rare encounter, the happy father says Pokiri is completely a Mahesh film and there is no looking back for his boy for the next 30 years. "Watch out, this is just the beginning!" he declares.
Recollecting Seetaramaraju, Krishna says, "Well, it seems to be the one movie for which I'm most remembered. It's became a sort of cult movie... which is very gratifying. I did get a mass following with my very third film but this one catapulted me to a different league. Director Chakrapani saw it and said the film has seeped into people's mind so much that all my next few films might flop. And they did. Fourteen of them , including Devadasu, which I had pinned my hopes on - were disasters at the box office. It took me a year and a half to get back and win the audiences' interest. I did it with Paadi Pantalu. Now Mahesh has to be careful about his choice of films. All these days distributors complained that he hasn't worked in a film for the masses but with Pokiri he's achieved that balance."
Despite being out of active public life and films, Krishna is perhaps the only star who has loyal fans all over the State and has a tremendous support from the people in the industry. Ask him the reason for the continued love and limelight, he says, "I have acted in almost all kinds of roles, tried all genre and reached a wider audience and I guess they are all quite happy about it. Next, I have worked with many directors and never questioned their credentials. I have always valued relationships and money never played an important part in my life. The fact that I am liberal has made me a favourite with my producers. As far as my fans are concerned, I can say I'm just blessed to have them."
Krishna stays at Planet 10, which is ten minutes walk from his studio.
He laments that the place which once boasted of serenity, has now lost its charm.
At his 63rd birthday celebrations.
Is it true he is remaking Baghbaan? "I wanted to, then someone called and told me that they had already taken the rights. So I might choose a fresh project, which suits my age and image. Right now we are into producing telefilms for Zee. I will act in one tele-film every month and hope to win some more fans. The first film Premikudu, will be directed by Vijayanirmala and the shooting will begin from June 16 onwards. The small screen is a very encouraging medium, didn't Amitabh make his second beginning with it?" Krishna points out.
After so much adulation, to what extent does the superstar feel responsible towards his character and his audience? "I've never felt drained or weighed down by them because the characters offer me as much as I offer them. On the contrary, I feel stimulated every time I play a new role. I enjoy the entire process of getting acquainted with a new character and projecting his anguish. If I didn't, it would have reflected on screen. There is no enjoyment in relaxing, I want to work, I want to act," affirms Krishna.
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