Rebel Star of the Telugu film industry, Krishnam Raju, has completed 40 years in the film industry, this year, on his birthday, 20th Jan. Even after the age of 60 he is still rearing to go both in the film as well as the political field with the same energy and enthusiasm as he had when he first entered the film industry as a 20 year old. On the occasion of his birthday, in an interview with Ragalahari he speaks about returning to films after a gap of two years.
Q: Any special reason to celebrate today? Other than it being your birthday?
A: Yes. Today I complete 40 years since I entered the film industry.
Q: You have experienced both the film as well as the political field. How different are they?
A: Concentration and hard work are important no matter what field you are in. you have these qualities and you will be recognized. I have been in the film industry for 40 years now, this is my profession. I am relatively new in the politic field and have yet to learn the finer aspects.
Q: You have worked alongside with some major leaders in BJP. Tells us about it?
A: Actually it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee who inspired me to join politics. After seeing what they have done for the people I decided to join their party.
Q: Are you still active in politics?
A: I am always active in politics. I suffer from dust allergy. That is why I do not tour much. Maybe that’s the reason you got that impression.
Q: It’s been quite a while since we have seen you on screen. Are you planning to continue to act in films?
A: I am planning to act full time in films form this March. But that does not mean that I will be away from politics. I will continue to do my work there also.
Q: You have been in the film industry for 40 years. What is your analysis on the industry?
A: Story is the main ingredient of a film. Initially films had Indian culture and the sentiments of people as the basis. Latter sentiments and action was combined to create hit story lines. I have acted in a few of those films myself. And now music plays an integral part in a films success. Be it melody or fast beats. Like history repeats itself. Sentiments and action will again start ruling the story line. For instance in the movie CHATRAPATHI both sentiment and action were shown but the sentiment was also over done. Because today’s audience does not appreciate over dramatization. And now English movies are also being dubbed into Telugu. During my heydays people used to watch only Telugu movies. Very rarely did a Hindi movie get dubbed into Telugu. But now Telugu movies have competition from both Hindi and English movies.
Q: What was the turning point of your career?
A: The movies MANA VOORI PANDAVULU and KATKATALA RUDRAIAH were the two movies which made the number one hero of that time. They played for 25 weeks. And the movies of my own banner increased my star value.
Q: Are you a producer’s actor or a director’s actor?
A: I am a character’s hero. The story of any film is based on its characters. Then comes the producer and the director.
Q: You are known as the rebel star. After you none of the heroes have portrayed revolutionary characters. How come?
A: Any hero can go as far as choosing the best roles from what he is being offered. He cannot mold the characters into what he wants them to be like. Today’s actors are doing a wide variety of roles so they have their benefits.
Q: Any more ambitions to be fulfilled?
A: Nothing as such. I will what ever I can as long as I have the strength and capacity to do so in both the film as well as the political field.
Q: Any particular people who helped build your career or helped to establish you as a hero?
A: Before I entered the film industry my friends helped me a lot. But after I joined the film industry it was I who helped others. I did not expect anybody to help me. With god’s grace I was in a position to help others.
Q: With which heroine was your most successful and popular pairing?
A: Initially I did a lot of movies with Jayasudha. Then quite a few with Vanisri. They both had a lot of performance oriented roles in my films. I also did movies with other glamorous heroines but had a successful pairing with Jayasudha and Vanisri.
Q: The film industry has developed a lot in the technical area since your time as a hero. Comment?
A: Graphics used in a film should add value to the story. Not be the story of the film. They should be in sync with the story line. Without a proper story and characterization the film will not run only on the strength of graphics and technical value. As in the case of MRUGARAJU. Graphics are like the masala in a curry. Just because a masala curry tastes good we don’t eat only the masala right? Similarly we also shouldn’t over do it.
Q: Have there been any noticeable changes in Prabhas?
A: I have noticed a considerable change in the past one year. He attained star status with VARSHAM. CHAKRAM proved him to be a good actor. And now with CHATRAPATHI he established himself in this industry.
Q: Are you planning to act with him in the future?
A: I will definitely want to act with him in the future if we come across a suitable story. Even our fans want us to act together.
Q: Will Prabhas be acting in any of your home productions?
A: If he will suit any of the subjects we come across then definitely.
