'Chiranjeevi garu appreciated me for arriving with a different film like Rajdooth'

Six years after the demise of actor Srihari, his youngest son, Meghamsh Srihari, sets out in his father's footsteps. In his debut film, Rajdooth, Meghamsh plays an adventurous youngster who embarks on a mission entrusted by his uncle.

Ask him how he bagged this film, he says, “Last December, I got transferred to a new college and somehow didn’t like that setup and was sitting idle at home. It was then that I received a call from my friend who told me that producer MLV Satyanarayana wanted me to play the lead role in his film. Then, I met my directors Arjun and Carthyk, liked their (Rajdooth) script and the rest is history.”

Recalling the influence of his father, Meghamsh says, "My father is my role model and he played a major role in me aspiring to be an actor. He always encouraged me and my brother to be an actor and a director. Although he has gone too soon, I’m sure he had the knowledge that we will do what he had always wanted us to do."

Meghamsh’s tryst with the camera began at a very young age where he played a brief role in Srihari-starrer Bairava. The film’s hectic schedules affected his education and he was forced to take a break from acting after his mother insisted he complete his studies and be qualified for a job before trying his luck in acting. “She did everything for us after the untimely death of our father. She has been supporting our dreams and is eagerly waiting for Rajdooth’s release,” shares Meghamsh. 

Not wanting to take the usual path of making his debut in a typical commercial film, Meghamsh is sure about walking down a different path. "I always want to work in different cinema and play versatile roles like my father. Even if it's a negative role or a mythological character like Yamadharmaraja or Duryodhana, I can't wait to do them,” confides Meghamsh, who wants to work under filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s direction.

It is said that showbiz is a place where people don’t remember an actor who is not alive. Meghamsh contradicts and asserts that they have received immense support from everyone all these years. “We have distanced ourselves from the industry, but we always received love and affection from the people who knew my father. It feels proud when people share good things about my father’s work and tell how he helped the needy. We have shown the teaser and promos of Rajdooth to Chiranjeevi garu on Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy sets and he appreciated me for arriving with a different film,” he avers. 

Meghamsh is determined to carry forward the legacy of his father in the days to come. “I’m too young to say this now. But, in the future, I will take up these responsibilities and continue the charity works and keep his reputation intact.” 

The actor is glad how things have worked out for him so far in his career. "I used to tag along with my father to the sets and spend long days over there hob-nobbing with several stars. We used to enjoy the attention and now that I have turned a hero, it feels amazing when people call me by my name and pose for selfies when I go out," he states with a beaming smile.

Meghamsh has been getting several offers but he says he will commit only after Rajdooth's release.