Just before the release of any new film, the hero is bound to be under focus. It is more so when the hero is Venkatesh.

With Subash Chandra Bose all set to hi the screens, it has been all Venky. The hero, with a moniker 'Victory' to his given name, is naturally confident of the K Raghavendra Rao directed film.

This is his 101st film, I am sure it will succeed, he says with quiet dignity. More than anything else what lends confidence to Venky's words is the essential script and story of the film.

It is modern cum period film. It is not about Subash Chandra Bose. But is of him. There are lots of serious stuff woven into commercial entertainer. A genre that is attempted in Telugu very seldom, Venky points out.

Venky, whose Sankranthi is touted as a hit, is being accompanied by Shriya and Genelia and a British actress in the film. Then there is Gulshan Grover, Tom Alter, Brahmanandam, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Venu Madhav and Ali among others to add value to the movie.

Venky, who says that he is past the age of being in the numbers game, also points out that he believes doing roles that suit his age. "I have to mature with age," he says with earnest simplicity.

Venkatesh is also sad these days. Pray why? Well, India lost to Pakistan in the one-day series. He bats for Hyderabad batsman V V S Laxman. "He should be in the team," he says.

Venky was at hand to watch the Vizag one-dayer that India won. Now, Venky has to bat for SCB and save it.