Arjun Das of 'Kaithi' (2019) and 'Master' (2021) fame will soon be seen in the Republic Day release 'Butta Bomma'. It is his first major Telugu release. Directed by newcomer Shourie Chandrasekhar T Ramesh, the film is special to Arjun Das for a lot of reasons, the first among them being it is a Sithara Entertainments product.

In this interview, the talented actor talks about working with the banner, his popularity, his famed baritone, working with producer S Naga Vamsi, and more.

The film stars Anikha Surendran and Surya Vashistta as the lead pair.

Highlights:

It's been a long way since I began my journey in Kollywood in 2012. I have to be thankful to director Lokesh Kanagaraj for picking me in his films. I got to share screen space with Thalapathy Vijay sir in 'Master'. Ever since that film, opportunities have been coming my way thick and fast.

Coming to 'Butta Bomma', when the film came my way, I didn't even know that people here know me. A lot of people watched my Tamil film 'Andhaghaaram' on Netflix. I have dubbed for myself in 'Butta Bomma' and I hope my part is loved by the audience.

I receive applause for my voice but I hope my acting, too, would be loved here (smiles). As you all know, 'Butta Bomma' is a remake of the Malayaalm film 'Kappela'. I can't reveal which character I am playing in it. You will know it when you watch it on January 26. Most of the Telugu audience haven't watched 'Kappela'. So, the producer feels that 'Butta Bomma' will definitely feel fresh. Anikha is new, Surya Vashistta is new, I am new... I am really hoping that the audience see it as a fresh movie.

Like me, Anikha is also a non-Telugu. We helped out each other with lines. The director is a taskmaster and the production house is an esteemed house. The banner's backing definitely made things easy for us. I also got to travel to places in Andhra Pradesh that I had never been to.

A few changes have been made to the original. Otherwise, most of the film is the same. Producer S Naga Vamsi garu completely put faith in me. The director did a great job of extracting fine performances from everyone. It feels great to be debuting in Telugu under Sithara Entertainments. The producer was very particular that only I dub. They like my voice. If my acting is loved by the audience here, that will boost my confidence.

I played a secondary negative role in 'Master'. I am not playing negative roles these days. I am accepting only lead roles as of now. If something really exciting comes my way, I will definitely be open to playing negative roles. I am otherwise consciously staying away from negative roles. I usually don't do more than one movie at a time. It becomes difficult for the producers if I can't adjust dates in time.

I am doing a few other Telugu films. They will be announced in the coming months. Emoting in the mother tongue is relatively easy. That said, I am grateful to the director and ADs of 'Butta Bomma' for helping me understand the emotions and nuances. I am angry most of the time in the film. In the coming movies when my emotions are varied, I will have to put in a greater amount of effort.

People liking me for my voice more than anything makes me believe that I have to do something to make them talk about my acting. My voice might make filmmakers assume that I am apt only for angry young man roles. But it doesn't limit my horizons. I can play vulnerable roles as well. I can play romantic characters. There is a soft side to my persona and it will be wanted by many roles. For the longest time, the perception has been that I am for negative roles. But that is changing now. The movies that are going to come in the future are going to prove it.

I would like to believe that I am the director's actor. A director puts faith in me to implement his vision through me. I have to deliver what is in his mind.

I am inspired by several actors. I like actors who behave realistically on screen. That's what the audience wants to see these days. Somewhere, I have learned something from my fellow actors. For films like 'Andhagaaram', I had no reference at all. In another Tamil movie, I played a food delivery agent. As part of my homework, I met several Swiggy and Zomato agents. I realized that their experiences were not hunky dory. A good rating means a lot to them. For one of my upcoming movies, I have sat down with someone who lost a dear one during the Covid-19 pandemic. It helped me understand the demands of my character.

I have always watched Telugu movies. But I never saw myself doing a Telugu movie, because I didn't believe a Telugu filmmaker would approach me. The movies here are getting bigger and bigger. We watch Telugu movies in Chennai with sub-titles. I am entering a big industry in a small way. The audience here love cinema a lot. I have received so much love here. I am surprised to know that many audience members are familiar with me here.