It took me years to bag a film like ‘O Pitta Katha’: Sanjay Rao

Sanjay Rao, son of Brahmaji, is going to debut with ‘O Pitta Katha’, which hits the screens on March 6.  Produced by V Anand Prasad of Bhavya Creations, the film also stars Vishwant and Nithya Shetty.  Ahead of its release, the fledgling actor talks about the film, why it’s unique, his future plans and more.

What I did before films
   
I did try my luck to debut as a child artiste, but I couldn’t do it.  I remember auditioning for ‘Little Soldiers’.  I failed to crack it.  It’s only because of my father that I am in the film industry today.  After quitting my job with the Merchant Navy, my focus wholly shifted to movies.  After graduating in Nautical Science, I did my Masters in the US.  I worked in Rio De Janeiro and Amsterdam after completing my Masters.  But I was somewhat dissatisfied because all that I was getting was only money. I wanted to go beyond adding to my bank balance.  That’s why I have chosen the creative field.

Getting acting training

Years ago, the likes of Krishna Vamsi garu and Ravi Teja garu used to ask me why I was not doing films.  My dad used to say that the ball will always be in my court with respect to what I want to do in life.  My dad immediately said OK to my decision to quit the job after my working for six years in foreign countries.  I trained under a prominent acting guru in Mumbai.  I did a course under Devadas Kanakala garu for six months in Hyderabad.  I later joined as an assistant under Krishna Vamsi garu for ‘Nakshatram’.  He encouraged me to learn all the crafts of filmmaking.  

Background doesn’t help much

Just because your father is in the film industry, things don’t automatically become easy for you.  I have known Sai Dharam Tej since Intermediate days.  I know how hard he works.  It’s not easy for anybody.  I too have experienced it first hand.  I had to wait four years for a movie like ‘O Pitta Katha’ to happen to me.  After my debut movie, an anthology film directed by Kishan Krishna (a protege of Puri Jagannadh) will hit the screens.  

Working with director

‘O Pitta Katha’ is a triangular love story.  Besides romance, there are a lot of other elements in it.  I am glad to have bonded with director Chandoo garu for three years before this movie.  That was helpful.  He would always correct me and teach me constantly.  I used to have stage fear sort of thing previously.

My character in the film

I will be seen as a youngster from Amalapuram.  He works in a theatre.  Right from selling the tickets to cleaning the theatre, I take care of everything.  I go to my native town for Sankranthi.  My mother is from West Bengal in the movie.  As part of my homework for the role, I went to single screens in Hyderabad and observed the body language of workers there.  I believe that observing helps a lot.  

I have watched  ‘O Pitta Katha’ and I still can’t believe that I am an actor. It has been like a dream.