Exclusive Interview: Vish the outsider,“I have been offered an antagonist role from Dharma... BY Lipika Varma

‘Liger’ hits the silver screen this Friday! Liger not only has a massy hero Vijay Deverakonda but also has a treat for its audience as they are presenting one of the most fiery rebellious villain Sanju the Baddie who’s none other than supremely charming Vish.

What kind of reception are you looking forward to in Bollywood now? Are you in talks with Dharma productions or any other biggies from B town?

As soon as the trailer was released the first call the next day I received was from Dharma’s office, one of his directors and I met him, it’s a surprise. People with one glance of mine in the trailer are appreciating my work.

I have got a couple of calls from the Tamil industry and Tollywood and Malayalam industry also. People from all over India are calling me appreciating my work and supporting me. This is the best thing that has happened to me.

Have you given a tough competition as a villain to Vijay Devarakonda?

Yes definitely, on screen I have given a tough competition to Vijay. In front of the cameras I want to give my best. There is a healthy competition. It has to be like that. Vijay is a very confident and an honest actor and a great performer.

When you are sharing the same screen space with that kind of actor it’s good for you also you can give your 200 percent. I have appreciated getting compliments Vijay and your combination is going to be the highlight of the film.

You received a call from one of the directors from Dharma, is it an offer for an antagonist role only?

Yes, after watching the trailer one of the Dharma productions called me and I have been offered an antagonist role from Dharma. As an actor I’m like a chameleon. I am a method actor.

I do a lot of homework and try to get into that zone. I am open to positive/negative roles. People that see a hero in me I am keen and if they see me in negative I will do that also. By the end of the day I want to be a performer and an actor.

Tollywood actors don’t wish to do anything less than main lead roles .Naga Chaitainya did a small cameo in LSC’. Will you do such cameo roles or reject such roles?

I come with an open mind .Even if I have 5 minutes of character, if it is justified I will be satisfied to do it.If I have the scope of performance for me I will do it.I play a performance. If I'm adding on then –yes.

Are you an outsider in Tollywood?

Yes, I come from a zero film industry background. My father was an ex high court employee who is enjoying his farming life. My mom is a homemaker.

Have you been subjected to Tollywood politics?

I have always been a very practical man. Even when I started my journey in 2009 I wasn’t expecting anybody to put the red carpet for me. Why would anyone do that for somebody? Is okay if you call nepotism exists, it's there in every profession.

Right now my father is enjoying farming and has a few acres of land which he wishes to pass it ontome.This is also nepotism.When a farmer can do it is ok if a start father is doing you are calling it nepotism. Not coming from a film background is my fuel to drive me further. I use everything for good.

What were your parent’s reactions when you decided to join films?

They didn’t approve of it, they were not supportive. They were being protective as by the end of the day I come from an orthodox family. They wanted to give me a safe life where I could work from 9 to 6, get married and have children. I was always a rebel and a go-getter. I am an alpha. My gut said I belong to the cinema. That's what I did.

What are your future films?

I am lined up with another film that will make announcements soon, which will begin in November. It’s an exciting script.It is with Puri sir only. It’s a lead character in grey shade. I am just CEO for JGM, not acting in it.

So you are not marriage material?

I am not chasing for marriage right now. For me every day it’s like a war I am here. My focus is on cinema and the Company. Marriage is not on cards.

Flirting is there then? You’re single?

I will try. I am single. I think in a very healthy way the Army is something I respect the most. If not in films I would have been in the Army. Struggling in this industry is like a soldier on the borders. When an opportunity may knock at your doors, when will you get a chance to work all this is not sure. You have to be always alert like a soldier on the border. Thus I focused and had so much to offer to the cinema.