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`There was no nudity'

Actor Bharat feels `Tenth Class' is an example of aesthetic film-making

DIFFERENT STROKES Bharat likes roles that challenge him as an actor

"I want to be proud of my films, all my films. Again, whether a film is good or bad doesn't reflect commercial success. I judge films on how they justify my conviction in them. It is hugely gratifying when they do", says Bharat, the 19-year-old engineering graduate who stepped into cinema by chance.

Known as Raviteja's nephew to industrywallahs, Bharat is soft spoken, shy and you've got to coax him to speak. His latest film Tenth Class is running to packed houses and Bharat is now inundated with offers. "I am open to doing films but they should have something nice to impart. I've done only four films so far and I like to choose my roles carefully. I have no intention of leaving my studies."

Engineering to film sets

Producer M.S. Raju saw the preview of Na Autograph and roped in the boy with vulnerable looks to act in Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana. Bharat says he stepped into films during his summer holidays. He says, "I haven't made any plans yet. Whether I do another Telugu film or not depends solely on the work I am offered post Tenth Class. I am in no hurry to prove myself to anyone. A good script would be a great icing on the cake. Let's see."

Ask him if people have found the sequences in Tenth Class a little too steamy, and he answers like a veteran. "It wasn't the least overdone. I thought we filmed it aesthetically. There was no nudity, nothing over-suggestive. It was also essential to prove how self-serving my character was. But I must confess I'm too private a person to do a sequence of this sort on camera without a squirm. To do it in front of a whole crew was tough. But we both were professional about it. My uncle Raviteja always said that if you want to be a natural actor, you must forget the camera and not have any fear. I did feel a bit awkward during close-up shots but now I've to get used to it."

`Manodu', a rare opportunity

Is he disappointed about the lukewarm response he'd got for Manodu? "Why should I? In fact I feel that I must have been blessed to get such a role. Ram is an incredible person and director and I'm grateful to him for offering me a realistic subject. We shot the film in just 17 days. It was a wonderful feeling to get all the critical acclaim. No one has control over how a film performs at the box office."

The rising star loves to watch Venkatesh, Pawan Kalyan and Raviteja's films in his free time and when he thinks he's had enough, he just packs his bags and retreats to the hills for a holiday. As of now, Bharat has had good films in hand. He smiles and smartens up, "I am lucky to get a good break in films. We make choices, and the key is to make the most of the opportunities in our lives and take time out for people in our lives. That's true success."

Y. SUNITA CHOWDHARY

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