I’ve sat at home for two years with no film, reveals Harom Hara actor Sudheer Babu

It’s predominantly an action drama. But of course, you know that in Indian films, you cover all the genres (action, romance, etc) in one film. Harom Hara has a lot of honesty in the script. That’s what I liked about the film and the story. One thing is that the backdrop is very, very new, never-seen-before in Telugu cinema or even in Indian cinema. The protagonist here is a gun-maker; he makes them from scratch and starts to sell them. This is the backdrop but it has different layers that work in a different way. The dialogues are quite interesting and even the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist. Visually, I would say the backdrop will be very fresh for the audience and it’s a big screen experience kind of a film.

Is there a romantic angle as well in the story?

Yeah, there is, but it’s a very mature love story. The thought process between the girl and the boy is very different from what you see in regular commercial films. The girl’s character is as strong as the hero’s.

You’ve completed 12 years in the Telugu film industry and just done around 20 movies. Is that a conscious decision?

It’s not a conscious decision to do less films as such. My thought is very simple – in case I don’t like a script, I’d prefer to sit at home. I just don’t do films for the heck of it or just to keep busy. I don’t just accept films just for that reason. There were times when I sat without doing a single film for two years because none of the scripts excited me. But at the same time, there were times when I’ve also signed four or five films in a six-month period. So, it’s not a conscious decision to do less films. Basically, as you grow as an actor, people can see what range of skills you’ve got. Then you get a wider range of scripts. In the initial days when I started acting, it took time for people to notice that I can handle different genres of films and characters. Initially, it was a little slow. But once people started noticing me, directors started writing stories, keeping me in mind.

You’re from a business family. Was acting always the ambition?

I like films. I like watching films on the first day, first show. I have been doing that all my life. I didn’t think about films at a young age, but at a later stage, yes. My father is in a different business and industry altogether. I tried to work with him. But I wasn’t very satisfied with the effort I was putting into that business because I was more inclined to films. Even when I was helping my father in business, I was doing part-time movie distribution and so on. There was one point where I had time to decide about what I wanted to do for the next 30-40 years and that’s when I became an actor.

When you came into cinema, your brother-in-law, Mahesh Babu, was already a big star at that time. Did you think you’d automatically get films or it was going to be a struggle?

I felt it would be much easier than what I experienced. (Smiles) I definitely didn’t think it was going to be a cakewalk but at the same time, I thought once I show people the skills I’ve learned, it would be easier to get offers. But it wasn’t the case. At the same time – I don’t know if it’s right or wrong – I had this principle that I won’t ask anybody to get me a film like my father-in-law, Krishna garu or Mahesh Babu. And that’s how it’s been for the last 12 years of my career.

How supportive was Krishna garu of your decision to become an actor?

He was always there sharing his experiences and everything. In my family, the beauty is nobody pushes you to do this or that. They give you suggestions and share their experiences. I wanted to make sure I gave films a good shot. I still remember the confidence Krishna garu gave me once he saw the skills that I’ve learned for films. That was really a confidence booster for me. By that time, I had two kids. Everybody in the family was shocked when I showed them what I could do as an actor. They were really confused. But a lot depends on luck too. You’ve got to be at the right place at the right moment, that’s when you can get a good film. The other thing is that, in case, you do films and you’re not successful, then you’re a failure in everyone’s minds. Not just the family, the whole world sees you as a failure. When Krishna garu, who has done more than 300 films, said, ‘Okay, this guy has got something, let him explore cinema,’ it was a great confidence booster.

You’ve had box office failures as well. Did it upset you?

Definitely, it upsets me! Once you have a failure, then you have a process to get out of that mindset. It all depends on what stage of your career you are in. If you have a blockbuster film, followed by a flop, you still know you have some good films in hand. It motivates you to move on and work harder. At different stages, you’ve got to figure it out on your own. But at the end of the day, what matters most is you love what you’re doing and obviously it’s the best you can do.

You made your Bollywood debut with Baaghi, but you’ve not explored Hindi cinema after that.

Frankly, for many reasons. In fact, I never tried to get into Bollywood even before Baaghi also. It’s just that they saw some of my work and they called me for an audition. I wasn’t in a frame of mind to accept the role as I thought it’ll be some small role and I had work in Telugu cinema. But the role was very interesting and I got the project. Bollywood wasn’t on my radar and I didn’t have the knowledge to market myself there. At that time, you had to be in Mumbai if you wanted a good break. Now, things have changed and everyone is looking at South cinema. In case you have a good film, you can simultaneously plan to release it pan-India. In the future, there are a couple of films I’m thinking of releasing simultaneously in Hindi as well.

Do you want to do a pan-Indian film?

Absolutely! That’s the goal also moving forward, but you’ve got to pick the right project. Because you just get one chance. They’ll consider you seriously if you come with the right film. If the first film isn’t to their expectation, then the second time they won’t take you seriously. You’ve got to choose the right project and then plan.

You’ve never got the opportunity to work with Mahesh Babu…

I wish there’s someone listening to our conversation. (Laughs) I would really love to work with him – not just because he’s my brother-in-law but because he’s a good actor. When you collaborate with good actors, it’s really a joy for other actors also. I’m sure there’ll be a script waiting for us one day.

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What’s next for you? Who do you want to work with?

There’s a Hindi film I’m doing and I think the production house will announce it soon. It’s going to be made simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu and released simultaneously. We’re going to start shooting in August. I’m doing a Telugu film called Maa Nanna Superhero. It’s produced by UV Creations and directed by Abhilash who’s done the series called Loser.

Obviously, I want to work with Rajamouli and all the successful directors. But what gives me more joy is working with newcomers. I know there’s a lot of risk involved when you work with new directors, but the energy they bring to the set is amazing and there’s a healthy environment. I’ve noticed this about Krishna garu also. I remember, more than 15 years back, there was a small event at home and an elderly man was there. Krishna garu introduced me to him and said this is Doondi garu who produced his first big film. Imagine Krishna garu, who’s done more than 300 films, honouring the film producer who gave him his first big break. If I work with newcomers and one of them becomes a big director in the future, it’ll give me immense joy.