Sriimurali: A star plays an important role in Bharaate, which we've kept as a surprise for the audience

Sriimurali is back with his next film, Bharaate, which releases this Friday. "It’s another Friday for me, and I am going through some positive tension,” says the actor, who feels Bharaate has brought in a different kind of excitement. “Apart from box office prospects, it is also about whether people will accept me in this subject. That is the question running in my mind for the last few days. The movie should do well for director Chethan Kumar; it is his hat-trick. I also look forward to having another hit in my kitty,” he adds.

Sriimurali reveals Bharaate happened at a time when he was looking for a change from his previous films. “It always gives you a kick when you try to do something for the first time,” he says.

Talking about the exciting things that he got to do in Bharaate, Sriimurali says, “I got to portray multiple shades in this film. I had to be kind, smiling, pampering, playful, romantic, angry, and patient, and also underplay the role, which in itself was challenging.”

Sriimurali also reveals that there is a surprise element in the second half of Bharaate. “A star plays an important role in the film, and he is sure to win over people’s hearts. We have kept it under wraps, as we want the audience to witness this surprise in the theatre.”

The actor, who has done 23 films so far, says his best is yet to come. “I can’t pick one film where I feel I have performed well. There are times when I feel I have given that perfect shot, but the same night, my thought process changes and I feel that I could have done better. I have often gone and requested the director to shoot the sequence again,” he explains.

Sriimurali prefers not to think too much about stardom. “Today, it is pretty cool to be an actor, but it becomes hectic when it comes to maintaining this stardom. Having been in the industry for years, I have also concluded that knowledge is the most important tool,” he says.

After Bharaate, the actor will next be seen in the Mahesh Kumar directorial Madagaja, which is likely to go on floors in November. Meanwhile, Sriimurali is also working on locking a script for his silver jubilee film.