‘Mogali Rekulu’ Sagar opens up

Sagar, the RK Naidu of 'Mogali Rekulu' fame, is making a re-entry on the big screen as a male lead.  'Siddhartha', touted as a violent love story, hits the screens on Sept 16.  In this exclusive interview to IndiaGlitz, the talented actor puts it frankly, whatever may be the question.  Saying that sentiment and action are his strengths, he says more about 'Siddhartha'.

A complete entertainer:

'Siddhartha' is a complete commercial entertainer.  It won't disappoint any section.  It's stylish, has action, romance and elements of a family drama.

He is away from factionalism:

I am playing a character who is away from faction backdrop.  His story is primarily a love story.  He is an NRI guy.  The heroine brings change in him.  That also explains why the title is 'Siddhartha'.

I am seen in a formal get-up.  There is a reason for this get-up.  He is not in the faction world to wear 'lungi' and a white shirt.  He is doing job and is away from that world.  For the sake of society, he has to take a tough decision.

Target audience:

The target audience is anyone between the age of 5-100 years.  I am sure they will receive me in the same way as they did when I did television.

Catering to family audience:

Because they have accepted me as having a mass action image, they will receive me again in this avatar.

After 'Mogali Rekulu', I felt that I should do this kind of role.  I have no illusions about targeting this or that audience.  Good movies are being watched by both mass and class audiences.  Whichever movie they like is a good movie.

Films are like the next step:

Films are like the next progression after TV serials.  When doing TV, I proved myself as a good actor.  I didn't give just another try here in movie industry.   I wanted to succeed here.  I don't deny that TV is a great platform; it's a source of livelihood.  All entertainment industries are same in my opinion.

When I did 'Mr. Perfect', I didn't realize that the role was not suited to me.  I should have chosen the character that suited me..

It was challenging:

It was a challenge to mould my body language over the last two years for this character.  Technically and beyond, cinema has a greater impact.

He is very disciplined:

Daya is a very disciplined and workaholic individual.  When I compare myself with him, I don't work hard.  Moreover, he is very good-hearted.   We felt he would be the right person to direct the movie.  He could have done a movie with other heroes.  But since I forced him, he agreed to direct 'Siddhartha'.

Thus was gained momentum:

When S Gopal Reddy garu came on board, the project gained momentum.  Then came Mani Sharma garu and Paruchuri Brothers.

Strengths and weaknesses:

Sentiment and action are my strengths.  I have tried to overcome my weaknesses.  An artiste should be ready to do anything.  One can't say he won't do this or that.

Strong characters:

The heroines have strong characters.  Ragini has earlier worked with Mohanlal sir and Thalaiva Vijay.  She has a performance-oriented role in the movie.  Even Sakshi Chowdhary also has such a role.  There are different shades and freshness to their characters.

No capitalizing on Pawan Kalyan garu:

There is no reference to Pawan Kalyan garu in the movie.  (Director Dayanand Reddy was a Pawan Kalyan associate for many years).  Daya  is not the kind who uses his image.  He has real love toward Pawan garu.

Next film:

My next project is going to be announced 2-3 days after the release of 'Siddhartha'.  It will be in the same banner.  It's going to be in action backdrop.