Kollywood actor Prasanna, who has played the traitorous villain Keshava in 'Jawaan', is upbeat that he is receiving love for his acting. In this interview, the handsome actor talks about how the film happened, working with Sai Dharam Tej, and more.

What kind of feedback are you getting since the release of 'Jawaan'?

The response has been great. I didn't expect this huge an applause. Importantly for me, the audiences have received me so well. I thank the director, producer Dil Raju garu and Sai Dharam Tej for the nice role. I have not only got a strong role but also a full-fledged one.

How did this film happen to you?

BVS Ravi garu was looking for a relatively new face to play this role. This is when writers Gopi Mohan garu and Kona Venkat garu suggested my name to him. In fact, I hadn't met them before even once. When I met them recently, I thanked them!

The director was to Chennai to meet with me. Thaman had called me up and asked me to see the director. He gave a 30-minute narration and I was mighty impressed with the script. I did expect this character to click big-time. I am glad that I have been introduced in Telugu with a strong character like this.

How was it working with the entire team and the hero in particular?

I have a feeling that I got to work with a nice unit. The entire unit was very supportive.

Working with Sai Dharam Tej felt very great. He is a simple man and a friendly co-star. I was a bit nervous about my Telugu prior to meeting him. But once I met him, the discomfort was over. It's because he used to converse with me in Tamil. He supported me a lot with the dialogues. He treated me like an elder brother. I will always be open to working with him.

Were you not apprehensive about doing a negative character?

Although it's a negative character, there is a lot of scope for performance. That's why I saw it as a great opportunity. The Telugu audiences have always embraced good actors, whichever language they might come from.

Many are comparing it with Dhruva's villain. Your take?

I am glad that my character in 'Jawaan' is being compared to that played by Arvind Swamy in 'Dhruva'. Happily, my Tamil film (to be released as 'Dongodocchadu' in Telugu) with Bobby Simha and Amala Paul too released on the same day as 'Jawaan'. I am the villain in both the films, coincidentally.

Has your wife watched the movie?

My wife Sneha hasn't watched the film yet. She respects the Telugu industry a lot. It was on her advice that I did Nagarjuna garu's 'Bhai' without a second thought. I hadn't even listened to the story. She felt quite happy when I accepted 'Jawaan'.

What are your going to do next?

This year, I have got to do a nice role in Vishal's 'Detective'. I heard that this film has been received quite well in Telugu as in Tamil. Working with Mysskin was a great experience. I am going to do another project with him. 'Detective-2' is being planned. Both I and Vishal are busy with our respective commitments. So, the sequel will be there after we are done with the current assignments. I am going to do a cop's film in Tamil. It will go on the floors in January.