Ahead of the release of 'Shambo Shankara' on June 29, Shakalaka Shankar in this interview talks about why he is not doing too many films these days, what he believes in, 'imitating' Pawan Kalyan and more.

Why are we not seeing you often these days? Are you not getting offers, as you recently suggested jokingly?

It's not like I am not getting opportunities. I am not getting the characters I am expecting. They are not of my range. I like to do films like 'Anando Brahma'. That's what can give me job satisfaction. I have done 'Shambo Shankara' because I wanted to work. My producer gave me Rs. 13,000 per day for 50 days. I have become a male lead not because I wanted to do something big. Job satisfaction is what matters to me. If I have to do a film, my character should be to my heart's content. 'Raju Gari Gadhi', 'Geethanjali' and 'Anando Brahma' fetched me so much name.

You went to Dil Raju, Trivikram Srinivas, Ravi Tej and Allu Sirish with the proposal to produce 'Shambo Shankara'. Do you seek offers this way?

Why should I fear to beg someone? I have no shame in begging for opportunities. Did I scold anybody? I believe in honest living. It's not wrong to beg for offers. It's wrong to steal from someone. None of them told me they won't work with me. I can't take to the streets for offers. Anything is necessitated by the story. Managers, make-up artists have become producers. With that confidence, I went to a debutant.

What makes you confident about your film?

I know the audience's pulse to an extent. I know, to an extent, what can make them sit and watch a movie. I know the run-time they would prefer for a movie. I have done Jabardasth and I know what tickles their funny bone. All the experience has come in handy for me.

Why did you imitate Pawan Kalyan so much? Are you looking forward to working with Jana Sena?

I didn't imitate Pawan Kalyan garu on purpose. Nobody has called it an imitation. His fans have been reminded of the 'Gabbar Singh' Pawan Kalyan. They have appreciated me for being a true Pawan fan. I don't know about politics. If he invites me to work with him, I will surely do.