"Artistes and technicians from the Telugu film industry are very disciplined, updated and professional, on the other hand filmi people from the North have a chalta hai attitude, they are lethargic," states Pankaj Kesari who is just beginning to make a mark in the industry. The 30-year-old actor is one amongst many Bhojpuri artistes like Ravi Kishan, Manoj Tewari who have made their debut as villain in Telugu films.
A theatre artiste from Patna, Pankaj Kesari had worked as a VJ for television channels in Mumbai before taking the plunge into films. He has worked in over 30 films in Bhojpuri as the hero before he decided to move South. “Director Sri Prawin offered me Kalicharan in which I am the main villain ; because of that movie I got many more offers. Unfortunately the film did not do well due to lack of publicity but I am sure the Tamil version whose shoot is being wrapped up will rock, it has been shot in Chennai with all Tamil actors. The nativity factor will work.”
Pankaj says he loves playing villain and anti-hero in movies and explains the difference. “A villain's role is completely negative in nature and an anti-hero is one who has a positive character with negative shades. There is no Ram without Ravan, the strength of Ram is highlighted because of a negative power called Ravan,” he quips. His other work includes Riffle Gunj and Kashi in Hindi and Swami Ra Ra 2 and Bham Bholenath starring Naveen Chandra and Navdip.
