Vikranth is playing the lead in Santhana Prapthirasthu, marking his second film as a lead actor. “After my debut with Spark, I wanted to do a content-based film rather than a commercial one. I have a good rapport with producer Madhura Sreedhar, who promised me an interesting role in his upcoming project. When director Sanjeev narrated the story, I immediately accepted — it’s a story that needs to be told,” Vikranth says.
Vikranth adds that the film deals with a sensitive issue of infertility, but is narrated in an entertaining manner. “According to surveys, three out of ten couples face challenges in having children. While this is the official figure, the real number is likely higher, and most couples don’t openly discuss these problems. This film may resonate with them,” says Vikranth. He emphasises that infertility is a topic that needs open conversation. “Even though it’s sensitive, our film presents it in an engaging way, with the last half hour being highly emotional,” he notes.
Interestingly, the story was offered to some top actors, but they declined due to the protagonist’s struggle with low sperm count. “Star actors have a certain image, a big fan following, and responsibilities, so they may not take such roles. I have been a fan of Prabhas, and I wouldn’t want to see him in this role. When they turned it down, I felt it was the right opportunity for younger actors like me to experiment with a film like this,” he says.
Vikranth says that Telugu cinema has evolved, with audiences now appreciating new genres and storytelling styles. “After Covid, people are more receptive to world cinema and fresh narratives. For a new actor like me, sticking to routine commercial films wouldn’t work. I wanted to do something different yet relatable,” he said.
Hailing from Vijayawada, Vikranth completed his B.Tech and worked in the USA, where his passion for cinema grew. “Watching films there inspired me. After a few years, I decided to quit my job and pursue acting. My debut Spark didn’t do well due to various reasons, but when Santhana Prapthirasthu came to me, I felt excited and confident about it,” he says.
Regarding the film’s delayed release, he said, “Director Sanjeev has been working on this script since 2017. We started shooting in 2024 and wrapped up by December last year. We were just waiting for the right date.” In this film, Vikranth plays Chaitanya, a software professional. He shared, “Every software employee can relate to this character. I gained six kilos to transform into a typical IT professional.”
Talking about his next projects, Vikranth revealed he has signed another film with Madhura Sreedhar. “It’s a village drama called Sarpanch, which explores village politics, social injustice, and some radical themes, but all narrated entertainingly. The pre-production is underway, and the team from Santhana Prapthirasthu, including director Sanjeev, is involved,” he said.
Another project is a socio-fantasy film, Mrityunjaya Markendeya. “A team conceptualized this story. With a big star, the budget could range between Rs 50-100 crores, but we aim to make it on a smaller scale. We’re taking minimal remuneration to focus on teamwork. A few production houses have shown interest,” Vikranth shared on a concluding note.
