`I need challenges as an actor'
Y. SUNITA CHOWDHARY
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Rajendra Prasad is set to storm the screen in MTV Shashank Ghosh's `Quick Gun Murugan'.
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`Aa Naluguru' knocked me out of my complacency; I've tasted blood and will never do a film that is frivolous. I feel rejuvenated as an actor and as a human being
THINKING ACTOR Rajendra Prasad was chosen for `Quick Gun Murugan' after a six-month survey.
Rajendra Prasad is seriously fed up with the word `formula film'. The actor talks about three important films that are set to change his future in Telugu cinema.
"Right from the beginning I have never played safe, never touched anything dubious and the flavour of my comedies were never farcical. My values had always been middle class; my films always revolved around middle class families (Appula Appa Rao, Ladies Tailor, Pekata Paapa Rao and others) and finally have never made money too. With 30 years in films and not a shelter of my own in Hyderabad, now I'm going to be seriously professional and also make some money. Aa Naluguru knocked me out of my complacency; I've tasted blood and will never do a film that is frivolous. I feel rejuvenated as a responsible actor and as a human being," he says.
"I am happy to have changed and evolved in accordance with people's tastes; it took this many years to decide what I really want to do. I need challenges as an actor. Bhagyalaxmi Bumper Draw was a remarkable con game. It dispels the notion of villagers being simpletons. I don't get turned on playing the leading man. But if it works, filmmakers would be encouraged to do a different kind of comedy," he says.
His current film Prof Rajaji is tailor-made for him. He plays a practical man who counsels people against suicides right from farmers, students, lovers et al.
Rajendra Prasad says, "There is dialogue in Aa Naluguru which goes Paddathi anedhi pellam laantidhi, asthamanam maristhe bagodhu. So this film too is like a value mixed with comedy. I don't mind waiting for such subjects to come my way, luckily I've never been desperate, frustrated or taken drastic decisions."
A matter of pride
"I feel good that young actors say that they want to see and imitate certain expressions of my past characters. Siddharth, Sivaji, Sunil and Naresh want to learn certain expressions from my films. I did the same. I too watched NTR's films and picked something here and there. It's a matter of pride," adds the actor.
Another interesting project Rajendra Prasad is doing is Quick Gun Murugan directed by Shashank Ghosh of MTV, which will have a worldwide release.
The actor divulges some information. "Shashank would do those short stories on Murugan and wanted to do a full length crossover film about what happened once upon a time in India. They went all over the south, did a survey for six months and found me to be a unanimous choice for the hero's role. It's about a cowboy — a Tamil character — who speaks Tamil, Hindi and English and crusades against eating beef," he says.
He adds with a smile, "Yes, they are paying me a lot more than what I expected. There is an element of surprise, costumes, two pistols, hat, leather boots, I wear a chain and there is this girl I adore who keeps coming out of the locket goading me to conduct myself better."
After Prof Rajaji and Quick Gun Murugan, he will be seen in India 2020, which has him play an awesome role. Before signing off, the actor reveals that his son Balaji is going to make his debut very soon.
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