Bollywood calling Kannada actor Sudeep

The following months are going to test Kannada actor Sudeep.

For the actor whose last hit was Veera Madakari earlier this year has back to back releases -- one Hindi titled Rann opposite Amitabh Bachchan and three Kannada films Theertha, Kichcha Kichcha and Just Maath Maathnalli -- lined up.

At present the actor is busy shooting in Mumbai for his two Hindi films directed by Ram Gopal Varma -- Phoonk II and Raktha Charitra.

He has also finished editing work for his directorial venture Just Maath Maathnalli and there are rumours that he's making a Hindi version with either John Abraham or Shahid Kapoor for the male lead, and either Asin or Deepika Padukone for the female lead.

R G Vijayasarathy finds out more about the movies and if there's any truth behind the rumours.

Your second Hindi film Rann and three Kannada films are releasing soon. Don't you think the short gap between each release will affect their collections?

The producers of these films should take a call on such matters. I do not have any control over the release of my Kannada films. I know releasing them so close to each other may create problems. But it just cannot be helped as further delay would mean competing with the examinations and IPL [Indian Premier League cricket] season that comes up in March.

I think three other films of mine -- Phoonk II and Raktha Charitra in Hindi and S Narayan's Kannada film Lakshmi Narasimha -- will also be released before June or July. That would mean 2010 will see many of my films getting released.  

But you're a big star in Kannada. Couldn't the releases of at least your Kannada films been planned better?

As I said earlier I have not been able to do anything about this development. I have done my best and moved on. People associated with the ways of the industry know that producers face many problems. But I am glad that all the issues have been sorted out.

The first copy of Just Maath Maathnalli will be out some time in the third week of December. About my another important release Kichcha Huchcha, I have spoken to the film's producer and director Guru Datt who has been very flexible with the dates.

Ram Gopal Varma will take a call on the release of Rann and I don't think anyone can interfere with his decision.  

You are also working in Varma's two other Hindi films -- Phoonk II and Raktha Charitra. Don't you think the release of these two Hindi films may clash with that of your Kannada films?

I have just finished shooting for Phoonk II in Mumbai. I have worked for Raktha Charitra for four days with Shatrughan Sinha. I enjoyed working on the film. I don't know when I will be called for the other sequences. I love working with Surya and Vivek Oberoi in the movie too.  

I will start work on S Narayan's Kannada film from the second week of January. I don't know whether I will land up in similar situations of too many releases in a space of a few months in future too. But I think the Kannada film audience has always encouraged good films even if they are released with lots of constraints and competition.  

What about the rumours that you will be directing the Hindi version of Just Maath Maathnalli which is now getting released? Will you also play the lead role in the film like you did in the Kannada version?

Yes, I am directing this film to be produced by Ramesh Taurani who recently made Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani. Either John Abraham or Shahid Kapoor will be playing the lead role. I have narrated the story to both of them. The producers of this film are also contacting Asin and Deepika Padukone for the heroine's role.

I will start directing the movie once the star cast is finalised. Raghu Dixit composed amazing music for the Kannada version. We haven't decided on the technicians for the Hindi film yet.  

Any offers to act in more Hindi films?

Ever since Phoonk became a hit, there have been several offers. But I will decide on what to do next after I wrap up Raktha Charitra. Either way, I will have to strike a balance between Kannada and Hindi films in the future.