Kartikeya Gummakonda: There was no point of reference for Bedurulanka 2012

Kartikeya Gummakonda made the audience sit up and take notice of his work in 2018 with the Ajay Bhupathi directorial RX 100. Aside from headlining action films like Guna 369 and Raja Vikramarka, Kartikeya also made his presence felt as an antagonist with Ajith Kumar's Valimai and Nani's Gang Leader. He showcased the extent of his talent by portraying a role with shades of dark comedy in Chaavu Kaburu Challaga. In his latest release, Bedurulanka 2012, Kartikeya ventures into uncharted territory. This is not only the first time he is tackling a subject as distinct as a Doomsday conspiracy, but he is also headlining a film with a huge ensemble cast. The actor talks to Cinema Express about his film, his love for Chiranjeevi, and more 

Excerpts 

Since Bedurulanka 2012 is set in a very specific year and around an urban legend all of us are familiar with, what were you doing in 2012?

I was a college student at that time. More than me actually believing in the myth about the world ending, I remember a Hollywood movie made on this topic and how everybody was speaking about that. 

How did you stumble upon Bedurulanka 2012? 

Clax, the film's director, and Ajay Bhupathi, the director of RX 100 were friends, they worked together under Ram Gopal Varma at one point. I got to know Clax through Ajay. The story's key theme, about a village going helter-skelter over a yugantham (Doomsday), got me excited. The novelty of the story, as well as its entertainment factor made me sign the film. There was no point of reference for Bedurulanka 2012, which is never quite the case with mainstream films. It speaks a lot about how we were really attempting something different with this film. I think this is particularly important in the context of the tastes of audiences today changing constantly. 

Your full name in the film is Siva Sankara Varaprasad, which is the given name of Chiranjeevi. How did this reference make way in the film?

The character's name in the film is just Siva. But in the interval bang, he must challenge the residents of Bedurulanka. That statement he utters, which also has him addressing himself in third person, needs to pack in a punch. We felt the impact would be lost if the dialogue just said Siva. Someone on the sets suggested Siva Sankara Varaprasad, and we thought it was a good idea, so we proceeded. 

You have always been vocal about your admiration for Chiranjeevi offscreen as well…

More than a fan, I think I hold Chiranjeevi in such high regard because he has not only inspired me to be an actor, but he has also inspired me, in a larger sense, to take charge of my own life and be responsible. My parents always wonder, "How is this boy so hardworking when it comes to his career, when he is lazy everywhere else?" (laughs). It is all Chiranjeevi. 

Bedurulanka 2012 feels like a casting-against-type situation for the film's female lead Neha Shetty, who played an entirely different role as Radhika in DJ Tillu. Were you or anyone in the team skeptical about how she would have pulled off the role of a village girl?

Yes, we were skeptical. But to be honest, the role I'm playing here is nothing like the role I played in RX 100 either. People had their doubts about me as well. But she is a good actor. She worked very hard to not come off as Radhika, even in the minutest of expressions. Our doubts were put to rest just two days after we began shooting. 

You made your Tamil debut recently with Valimai. Usually, when actors from here start working in other industries, they try to feature in more bilinguals or find ways to release their films in other languages. Has that been the case for you as well?

Not really, no. While it is true that Valimai got me some recognition in Tamil Nadu, I don't think every Telugu movie of mine should be released in Tamil just for the sake of it. The film, on a story level, should organically work for both Tamil and Telugu markets. I have turned down a few offers in Tamil because they did not seem that exciting. I am waiting for an opportunity as good as the one I made a debut with. 

You have had your share of failures in your career so far. What were your takeaways from facing them?

So many lessons, but one that stayed with me is this — I must only do a film if I find the entire story exciting, not just a scene here or there. 

What are your future projects? 

I have been very careful with my script selection these days. I am doing an action/crime comedy film with UV Creations. It is directed by a newcomer named Prashanth, who has worked as an AD for a handful of films under the same banner. There are two-three films in the pipeline as well, but it is too early to say anything. 

Are you and Ajay Bhupathi planning a sequel for RX 100?

We are planning to do a film together, but it is not the sequel to RX 100. Again, it is too early to talk about this. We will collaborate once we have a good story in our hands.