Karthi, who burst into the scene as the sibling of Suriya soon conquered the hearts of Telugu audiences with his performance oriented roles like 'Naa Peru Siva', 'Aawaraa' etc. He developed a definite market in Telugu which prompted his producers plan for roles and stories that suit Telugu audiences’ requirements as well.

On the verge of his latest release 'Biryani', directed by Venkat Prabhu who is famous for his dexterity at dealing with thriller genre and Hansika as the leading lady and Yuvan Shankar Raja scoring the tracks, he spoke to media in his usual charm and humor making them feel at home and he is at home too.

Excerpts from the tete-a-tete...

This Biryani Thrills You...

Biryani is the story of two ordinary boys who enjoy life in their own limits. They booze, they dance and dream about girls. My character is a playboy sort of role and we are particularly fond of Biryani when we drink. So, one such night when we go to order Biryani not knowing that there is trouble awaiting us, our lives change.

A Realistic Thriller...

The movie is an edge of the seat thriller in which the scenes are dealt with in a realistic sense. Screenplay is the high point of the film. Though he narrated a single hero story initially, it transformed into a couple’s story.

Venkat Prabhu’s Style...

Venkat Prabhu has a stylish presentation, especially of the hero’s character and is deft at dark comedy. While the characters are in serious trouble and trying to come out, it creates chuckles to the audiences.

Awesome Foursome...

Me, director Venkat Prabhu, actor Premji, Yuvan Shankar Raja… we are all schoolmates and the rapport helped a lot in the making of the film.

Sissy Sentiment...

Venkat Prabhu is a director who deals with the thriller elements quite well but in this film, my sister’s character gives a sentiment touch and is played by Madhumita.

Stay Away From Biryani...

Earlier films, I was more massy but in this I had to slim down, more to the liking of women and director Prabhu warned me to stay away from eating a lot of Biryani. I sported lenses as well.

Mendy Is To Be Mentioned...

Mendy Thakar is a popular actress in Punjab and this is the first time she’s doing a film down south but she played it brilliantly. She has done classy roles in Punjab but in this film, she does a vamp kind of role with all mystery behind her. She is an important part of the story.

Ramki Sir...

Ramki, who has done number of successful films in the 80’s and 90’s is making a serious comeback and for a treat too. For me, it was an experience working alongside such a senior actor and see how he transformed himself into today’s acting.

Hansika Performed Too...

Hansika does a journo’s character and doesn’t mean just romance. In fact, the movie starts with our breakup and haunted by my past as a playboy, she continues to think that I have the same tendencies. The love-hate relationship continues between us but when I am really in trouble, she comes out of her inhibitions to help me out.

Yes, I Sang For The film...

Yes, I sang for the film, along with Premji coz the situation demanded the most natural voices emoting and Yuvan insisted that we sing. In fact, I did a couple of errors and wanted to correct them but Yuvan said let’s keep them for the natural effect. We used motion capture in the first fight but after that, its all natural action, believable fights.

Realistic And Logical Fighting...

There are action episodes but done with a realistic appeal unlike a typical mass film where I fly in the air to kick the goons out of the world. We tried to maintain logic while even the fights were on.

I Am A Good Boy...

No, I am not a fighter outside the reel. I am a fun loving guy, go by parents’ word, nothing rebel about me. But on screen, I love stunts even from my childhood I used to count the number of fights and then watch the film.

No Dialogues, Only Conversations...

Shashank Vennelakanti wrote the dialogues for the film and did a fabulous job. In fact, there are no dialogues but only conversations in the film. So, even a regular scene transforms into a unique experience in the way its treated. I am certain that this is a new experience for the Telugu audiences.

‘Kabali’ Is Even More Realistic...

My next film ‘Kabali’ is even more realistic than ‘Biryani’, much in the lines of my first film with a raw and realistic appeal. It’s the tale of two friends and how politics seep into their lives and change the way they look at the society. Ranjith is the director of the film.

I Loved The Script...

Yes, I am producing a film, inspired by the script not out of an effort. I loved the script, which has only eight characters but all of them are quite interesting and intriguing. That’s why I took it up.

I Never Cut Into Director’s Job...

I am very choosy in my projects. But once I take up my project, I don’t interfere in the making. It’s often that the film turns out to be quite different from the story but if the director is confident that it works out that way, I go by his word. I also choose my director well coz now my movie is released across the South India and I can’t just try, I have to be sure how the product is going to be.

Completely Anamorphic...

We shot the movie entirely on film, anamorphic coz my cameraman is comfortable that way. Especially in filming action sequences, movements cause a motion blur in digital photography and hence film is the best solution. However, my next films will be on digital coz the world is moving digital.

Not Every Story Is Universal...

There are scripts that work everywhere and ther