Venu

Novelty in films is the need of the day
Youngster Venu rose to fame with his maiden film Swayamvaram hitting the bulls eye and was hailed as a promising newcomer and filmmakers lined up to sign him. He chose five out of those offers. His second starrer, Manasupadanukani, was released this year. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a mediocre fare and sank without a trace. But this did not seem to have affected the youngster as buyers came rushing to take his third film which is progressing briskly. Though his second film failed to elevate his position, it taught him a few lessons which are bound to help him to make right decisions in future. "I have decided to work only with genuine
filmmakers," says Venu, who is bound to bounce back since he has some interesting films in the pipeline like his home production, ace technician R.K. Selvamani’s Durga and another with seasoned director Kodi Ramakrishna. He is to sign another two films provided he is satisfied with the scripts. A tete-a-tete with the young actor on the sets of his home production......

After a sensational debut like Swayamvaram, you may have been disappointed with the film that followed and failed at the box-office, namely, Manasupadanukani?
After that experience, I have decided to work only with genuine filmmakers in future. To have bags of money to produce a film is not enough, what really matters and needed is passion to make good films.

One cannot cheat the audience. They are bound to reject any film which lacks novelty. After working for a few days in the second film, realisation dawned to me that I had made a wrong choice. The script was so bad that no one could have saved it from becoming a disaster.
Now I have become wiser. I would like to look at the script before working on it. Moreover, I will not accept films if the script doesn’t appeal to me.

You were loaded with offers after your debut hit film. But following the failure of your second film, do you feel deserted now?
Actually, no. Fortunately, it hasn’t affected my career since no one has gone back on the earlier offers. And as far as the business aspect is concerned, buyers are showing keen interest in my films indicating that our credibility is still intact.

After the launch of our home production, we had buyers from major areas to procure our film since they believe that we deliver good products. Like Swayamavaram,we have again taken up a novel theme for our new film which is helmed by Ramprasad.

The theme of Swayamavaram questioned the institution of marriage. What is the theme of the new film?
The sincerity and straight-forwardness of the hero pits him not only against the world but even his own family. His truthfulness affects his personal relationships and he feels that he is out-of-place in this dog-eat-dog world. Though he is not a preacher, he definitely sticks to some principles.

The subject is woven around this character and it has come out very well. It will definitely be another different film from our banner.

How was it working with technical whizkid R.K. Selvamani in Durga?
Like I have said earlier, my dream to work with a genuine filmmaker was fulfilled when I worked with Selvamani. I could see a vast difference in working styles between a passionate filmmaker and a casual filmmaker. Selvamani is clear about his requirements and goes about his job with clock-work precision. I play a military man who comes to his village for holidays. It will be a family drama laced with special effects. It was also nice working with Roja.

You played a performance-based role in Swayamavaram but in Manasupadanu Kani your role was star-based. Does that mean you want to establish yourself as a star?
I don’t have any set rules except that I will select only good scripts coming my way. I will like to do all kinds of films. That is why I am planning a typical mass film with my uncle B. Gopal sometime this year. I also have a film with seasoned director Kodi Ramakrishna, the script of which I have yet to hear. I am also game for performance-oriented roles.

My priority now will be to choose the right script and I will offer suggestions for the betterment of the script. I will be willing to give up a project,if it does not impress me because I don’t want my career aa an actor to be affected second time around. I will prefer to do just a few good films and relax at home the rest of the time instead of working in half-baked projects.

Instead of repeating the team of Swayamvaram, why have you opted for a new director Ramprasad and music director Manisarma for your next production?
I do agree that it is normal to repeat the same team which has made a successful film. However, we wanted to be together again only if we laid hands on the right script and not just to encash our previous success. Ramprasad was an erstwhile assistant of B. Gopal and it is nice working with him.

BVS Prakash