In a rare interview, Sudheer Babu discusses his career, his friendship with Mahesh Babu, his next projects, and more with Hindustan Times.
Sudheer Babu has seen both the highs and lows in life after becoming well-known for the 2013 movie Prema Katha Chitram. He is eager to take on new challenges and star in movies that will provide him with fresh perspectives after more than ten years of doing what he loves most.
‘It wasn’t easy to play a larger-than-life character’
With the release of Harom Hara last month, which was also available earlier this month on Prime Video India, Sudheer recently had success on the big screen. The actor explains, “I’ve been so busy this year, it didn’t even occur to me that we’re more than halfway through it. I’ve finished shooting a couple of projects, had a good release, and heard some great scripts. It’s been great.”
He played Subrahmanyam, a weapons maker in Harom Hara, with ease, but he admits the part wasn’t simple to perform. It was difficult to play such a larger-than-life figure, but I’m happy that people found me appealing in that role. They’ve inspired me to try harder now and play parts I’ve never played before. I have some exciting work lined up that is yet to be announced,” he adds.
‘Mahesh worries for me’
However, Sudheer hasn’t always had it easy; his 2023 movies Mama Mascheendra and Hunt weren’t particularly well-received. “Seeing that you haven’t received what you believe you are entitled to is undoubtedly difficult. But if I focus on the past too much, it will taint the present. I always put my all into anything I do, and I think there’s a force higher above that eventually aids in your success. Regardless of how well my films perform, I know I’ve done my share,” he says.
Given that both Mahesh and his late father-in-law Krishna had to deal with erratic film careers, can he also rely on his family for support? “My family is more concerned when anything goes wrong than I am. I’m the one who ultimately comforts them and assures them that everything will work out (laughs). Mahesh has helped me along the way in my profession. He worries if I put in a lot of effort and the movie doesn’t turn out the way he had hoped,” says Sudheer.
‘An interesting and emotional film’
Soon, Sudheer will feature in a pan-Indian movie helmed by Venkat Kalyan and presented by Rustom and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha co-producer Prerna Arora.
“This movie is a supernatural thriller, yet I’ve done horror comedies like Prema Katha Chitram and criminal thrillers like V. I can’t say too much about it since it’s really emotional, but it’s unlike anything I’ve done before. The storyline and motive of my character are very different. I have to prepare for some difficult scenarios,” he says.
Although Sudheer previously starred in the Hindi film Baaghi, this will be his first national release. “If the movie is excellent, people will watch it wherever it is made. They’re now receptive to quality film,” he says. “I’m also working on a Telugu movie called Maa Nanna Superhero. It is directed by Abhilash Reddy Kankara, who examines a lovely father-son bond,” he ends.
