‘Nobody can take advantage of Sudeep’

Kichcha Sudeep says that hosting Big Boss Kannada is a stress buster for him, and that even when there is pressure, he doesn't let it bother him
‘Nobody can take advantage of Sudeep’

Getting an interview with a star of Sudeep's fame can be challenging for a writer, and when the opportunity arose recently, we jumped at it. At a press meet held on Thursday, actor Sudeep spoke to CE in depth about hosting the fifth season of Bigg Boss Kannada, and followed it with a free flowing chat about his upcoming projects, the next film made under his production house, Hollywood projects, his co-stars, life and much more. 

Excerpts: 
 
'I learn from fights between Big Boss contestants'
Sudeep will be hosting the fifth season of Bigg Boss, which will see a mixed bag of known faces and six commonors at the house. Surprisingly, the host is yet to find out who the contestants are. "I don't want to know, I will meet them on the day I go to the sets. I am eager to see how this mix of celebs and common people will turn out. Though I host the show, I am also viewer like anyone else, except that I watch them through closed quarters," he says.

The host also stresses on Bigg Boss rules, which are to be strictly followed and can’t be tweaked "Voting is not controlled here, and it comes audited. Ultimately, people are the deciders. I can only give hints and hope they vote for the right people. Though a few happen to be my friends, they are contestants when inside the Bigg Boss house, and I have to be fair. A lot of things have surprised me too," says Sudeep, adding, "Of course, the pressure is always there, but I live for today. Sometimes, there is political influence too, but that cannot scare me. I don’t get bogged down by pressure. They can't take advantage of Sudeep. Bigg Boss is all about human behaviour, and for me, hosting the show is a stress buster. I learn and understand things from their fights," he says.

'Prem is one of the best directors'
Sudeep is currently shooting for The Villain, and is happy to be associated with director Prem and producer Monohar for this mega project. Back from Bangkok, where they shot a chase scene, Sudeep says, "I have seen one of the best directors in Prem. Though I nag him at times because he is like my family, the passion Prem brings to his films is something I see very little of in others. Of course, I have heard people saying that he is a show-off, but he is not, and I'm very happy to work with him. How he breaks his head for a project is something to appreciate. We will be done shooting in November."
 
He is happy with the way the film is taking shape, though he is not aware of its release date, which he says is a tricky question to answer. "I am not aware as to what works and what doesn’t with the audience, but there is an honest approach from producer's and director's end. I give a lot of credit to Manohar. Though he is not on the sets, he makes sure he's involved," he says.
 
'Shivarajkumar doesn't carry any unwanted baggage'
Sudeep is the lead in the film along with Shivarajkumar, and sharing screen with the actor is a delight, says Sudeep. "He has survived in the industry for so long because he is a no-nonsense person with tons of energy. The plus point is that he doesn't carry any unwanted baggage with him. Though he is senior, and there is a generation gap as far as cinema is concerned, he doesn't have inhibitions and that makes it easier on the sets. Prem has balanced both our characters, and so far it is going sweet," he says.
 
Working towards getting fit for Pailwan
Sudeep will be seen in Pailwan next, which he will start working on after he completes the The Villain. However, the poster of the film, which is about wrestling, has generated a lot of curiosity, and Sudeep says it's his responsibility to ensure he delivers. "I have been getting a lot of inspiration from people around me. I have to tone up, and work towards getting as fit as a pehlwan," he says.

'Filming two films simultaneously'
Rumour has it that Sudeep will be simultaneously working on two projects--one with S Krishna and the other with Surappa Babu. "I want to do so many things at once, but that's not possible. I am not used to shooting two films simultaneously, but we are trying. I believe in giving my 100 per cent in whatever I do and try to stay focused."

Telugu project with Chiranjeevi still unconfirmed
Sudeep has been approached to be part of Chiranjeevi's 151st film, which the actor is yet to confirm. "My prior commitments aren't allowing me to take out that much time. Giving 80 to 90 days is difficult for me right now. Discussions are on, but I am yet to give the nod," he clarifies.

'Ambareesh has a lot of confidence in me '
Sudeep is excited to associate with senior actor Ambareesh for his upcoming film Ambi Ninge Vaiysayitho. "This is a film Ambareesh is personally taking a lot of interest in. He has quit smoking and drinking for some time now and looks fresh. He has a lot of confidence in me, and is having a lot of discussions about the project, which we seldom see an actor doing. The story is quite apt for him, and the original story (Tamil hit Power Pandi), is rewritten to suit his body language," he says.

'Will get behind the camera someday'
It has been a while since Sudeep has worn the director's cap. He says, "Getting behind the camera is something I yearn for every day. But for the first time in many years, I'm seeing youngsters dreaming to become directors. An artiste does not die when his market goes down or when his films flop. An actor is dead the day nobody is writing anything for you. So when so many fresh minds are coming forward to write scripts, catering to their requirements is fulfiling for me as an actor. I would want to get back behind the camera someday, and it's not necessary that I will act in it."

Upendra is my friend, and I support his political aspirations, but campaigning goes out of my parameters
With Upendra getting in politics, fans are curious whether Sudeep will campaign for his colleague in the upcoming elections. He says, "Upendra is a friend, we have grown up together. I am glad that he is taking steps and moving towards what he wants to do. He is fulfilling his desire, and we will always support him. But campaigning goes out of my parameters, I have stayed away from it. I do not want to promise what I am not sure of."

Hollywood project in the works
Sudeep will be making his Hollywood debut with an untitled project. "I was waiting for everything to fall in place. The team is coming to Bengaluru on October 22, and more details will be revealed then."

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