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Testing new waters
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Actor Venkat wants to have the best of Hindi and Telugu films on his platter
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Today, I've become more careful and pay a lot of attention to what I do.
SHIFTING GEARS Venkat is in Bollywood to make a mark in Hindi films
A few days after the release of his debut Hindi film, titled Rafta Rafta, actor Venkat has his fingers crossed. "Talks are on for a few more projects in Hindi, but I am waiting to see how people respond to my first film. At the moment, I have only one more Hindi film," he says.
His entry into Bollywood has taken him back to his roots, in Mumbai. "I spent a number of years in Mumbai, before I moved to Hyderabad for my Telugu film assignments. In fact, I am very comfortable with the language and I've done the dubbing for Rafta Rafta myself. I can't say the same for my Telugu films. Even after five to six years in the industry, someone else dubs for me."
Not many actors from the regional film industries have been able to make a mark in Bollywood, but Venkat is hopeful. "I've made a beginning and I am sure good offers will come up. Many leading actors from the Telugu industry have done Hindi films, albeit occasionally. Ideally, I'd like to concentrate on both the languages," he states. Quiz him on changing his name to Viraj for Hindi films and he defends, "The production unit felt that Venkat was more of a South Indian name and the audiences would be able to relate better if I change my name. So when the name Viraj was suggested, I agreed."
Despite having featured in a handful of films, his career in Telugu films hasn't exactly soared. Venkat analyses, "When I my made my debut in a film produced by Nagarjuna, I was new to the industry. The film was a hit, but I didn't know how to handle the success and how to choose my projects.
"Also, star sons and daughters dominate both the Hindi and regional film industries. It's not easy for outsiders. Today, I've become more careful and pay a lot of attention to what I do. It's just a matter of time before things fall in place."
SANGEETHA DEVI. K
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