Sunil turns hero for Rajamouli

Sunil has been enthralling the audience with his comedy in umpteen Telugu films. His perfect sense of timing and the ability to induce laughs has got him several roles in big films as well as with big stars too like Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu, NTR, etc.

He has been in the industry for over a decade and got the opportunity to don a hero's cap in Andhala Ramudu in 2006. He turns hero the second time around with S S Rajamouli's Maryada Ramanna (releasing this Friday). He tells Radhika Rajamani more about his role and the film. Excerpts:

You have been doing character roles, mostly comedy-oriented ones. How does it feel to get a hero's role again after Andhala Ramudu?

I thought I should do a hero's role only if I get a good story. S S Rajamouli is a good director who came up with a good story. So I agreed to do it. I am happy that I got an opportunity to do the hero's role but I am scared too. I have to safeguard it.

Maryada Ramana is a new genre film. Was it that which attracted you to it?

When Rajamouli said he had a story and asked me to act in the film, I was shocked. I couldn't believe him. It is still like a dream. It is only because of Rajamouli that I did the film.

Could you talk about your role? Did you do any research for it?

I didn't do any research; the director did. The director spoon-fed all of us and we followed him meticulously. The character I play has different shades of a man who gets into many situations and plans to get out of them.

How challenging was it for you to do this role?

I have not done any action thrills before, so it was a challenging one. I had to give totally new expressions, so you will see a totally new Sunil in the film.

You also lost weight for this film. How did you do it?

The director felt I should reduce weight. So I lost about 20 kilos by eating salads and fresh food. I didn't eat processed foods. I also ran besides going to the gym. Then the director felt I had reduced too much so I put on about 6 kilos by eating processed food!

How was it working with Rajamouli?

I felt I had to work hard. What I used to think as impossible, Rajamouli made it possible. He is very committed to his work.

Can we expect laughter unlimited and some action in the film?

There are no fights, it's only thrilling action. People will be astounded and they also will laugh because of the situations.

You said at the audio release that Maryada Ramanna is a small big film...

The director wanted to do it as a small film. As he went according to the story, it became big.

What can we expect from the film?

It's an emotional and fun film. There will be intelligent and exciting events over two-and-a-half hours. So it will be fun, tension and thrill unlimited! Though the title is soft, the film is thrilling.

How do you feel after working in the film?

I feel I should do more hard work, practice dance skills and action skills (whether I do it or not).

You have been in the film industry for a decade now. How has your journey been?

I am lucky. I didn't plan this journey and it has been smooth so far. I got good roles. Luck has played a major part in my journey.

What are your other projects in Telugu?

There are two projects as of now. One is a Tolly2Holly production (produced by Ganesh) and the other is a Ram Gopal Varma film Katha, Screenplay, Darsakathvam Appalaraju. I am also listening to scripts.