Raring to go

Dr. Rajasekhar is excited to be working with RGV and moving into the character actor zone

Rajasekhar is excited at trying a new genre and at the curiosity the promotions and the RGV-Rajasekhar combination are raising. Photo: K. Ramesh Babu

Dr. Rajasekhar is in an upbeat mood; not only is he conducting auditions for his daughter’s debut movie but he is also back on screen after a long gap; this time as a father to a 16-year-old girl in Ram Gopal Varma’s Patta Pagalu .

Brimming with confidence, the actor speaks with the enthusiasm of a child on his first film with RGVwho is set to give him an image makeover. He declares that he is now open to doing any character provided the story is strong and the role befits him. In an exclusive chat with MetroPlus , Dr. Rajasekhar reveals, “Actually, this is not my first character role; I played an old man in Ee Prasnaku Badhuledi . I believe that if you look young and you are fit, you can internalise any character. Many people are averse to take over such roles after being a successful hero for years; they fear they might get typecast. I didn’t ask him (RGV) any question when I was offered this movie; all I said was that I believe in him and I am doing it for him. The actor can hardly believe that the film has been wrapped up so fast. “I worked with many directors, including Tamil director K. S. Ravi Kumar who is known for his brisk completion of films, but RGV takes the cake. When he comes to the set, there is no rehearsal and the shoot begins immediately. When we ask for another take he says why one more, bagane vundiga ? Of course if he is not convinced he will make us do it till we get it right.” Apparently RGV was very pleased with Rajasekhar’s work; so the actor is on cloud nine. “Directors say a lot of good things to goad artistes to perform better but I want to believe what he said. RGV said he had read many books on theatrical performances but it is for the first time he saw me turn theory into action. I consider his words as the greatest award.”

When RGV narrated the story of a ghost getting into a teenagegd girl’s body, as a father he could imagine what could happen to him if his daughter were to be in Swati Deekshith’s place.

Rajasekhar is excited at trying a new genre and at the curiosity the promotions and the RGV-Rajasekhar combination are raising. He is open to more such interesting roles. He adds, “I was willing to do Vijay Kumar’s character in

Sneham Kosam but it didn’t happen. They said I was too young for that role. My next is Soodhu Kavvum , a Tamil remake and a black comedy. I’m not going to take a holiday hereafter; in the next five years you will see me doing diverse roles.”