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Braving against odds

Srikanth, trying to shed the image of lover boy, writes G. PRASAD

PHOTO: K. GANESAN

SHREWD Likes challenging roles

With his successful debut in `Roja Koottam,' his eminently good looks not just attracted college girls but also the attention of filmmakers.

A few flicks later, Srikanth was the new chocolate boy of Tamil cinema. Then came the hard times.

His sincere effort to break the shackles of a lover boy image did not fetch him the desired results although the actor cites the delayed release of some of the films to be the major reason.

Big break

At a time when Srikanth was looking for a big break, it was `Mercury Pookkal' that gave him a new lease of life. Apart from doing well at the box-office, the film has also managed to reunite estranged couples.

Happy days are here again for the actor, but they have come not before he braved the lean patch gamely.

"Everyone has to undergo such a phase. It is only a matter of not getting bogged down. I worked hard and never gave up in spite of failures. I think it was the never say die attitude of mine that has redeemed my standing," he confides.

Srikanth, who recently bagged the State award for his performance in the film `Parthiban Kanavu,' says that he is doubly happy, as those who worked with him in the movie have also been recognised and adds that the award came as a confidence booster.

And it seems he is not a person who is going to let the bouquets get to his head.

"It is just a beginning and the award has made me to realise my potential. It spurs me to take up more challenging roles and excel in them," he says.

The actor is also quick to mention the roles played by directors Karu. Palaniappan and S.S. Stanley in his success and they are ones who moulded him in accordance with the character.

Srikanth is also excited about his soon to be released film `Sathurangam,' directed by Palaniappan in which he plays a journalist.

On his films

"The movie is all about how a journo struggles to balance his work with other commitments in life. I feel `Mercury Pookkal' turned out to be a success because the story was natural and it reached the people easily.

It was a healthy sign for cinema and my next venture is also on strong grounds," he explains.

The success of his Telugu film, `Okkariki Okkaru,' and also with his dubbed films doing well in Tollywood, Sriram, as he is known among the Telugu fans, plans to do a film for them by the end of this year.

"The reason why I avoided doing Telugu films is because of my present commitments in Kollywood. Apart from that I enjoy working there and those people are also very cooperative. Language is also not a problem for me as I have spent good number of years in Hyderabad," he shares.

Gossips are always there about Srikanth.

How does he take it?

"At times it is embarrassing. I know some do it for fun. But it is for them to know that it might hurt others. Whenever I read gossips about me, I don't discuss them with others and instead try to forget them immediately," he says.

How many know that this hunk is also an avid cricketer.

For those who got a chance to see Srikanth's performance for the

Kollywood team at the recent cricket match against Tollywood it wouldn't be a surprise.

"It was real fun and I indeed cherish those moments. It was nice that in spite of busy schedules, stars found time for such a gala event. And remember I took the game seriously," he laughs.

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