Kollywood star Sarathkumar, who has played a crucial role in 'Nenorakam' (March 17 release), was in Hyderabad today to promote the movie. Here are the excerpts from his interview:

Always open for Tollywood:

During the early stages of my career, I did 'Captain', which was made in Telugu and Tamil. Later, I did films like 'Gang Leader' and 'Stuvartpuram Police Station' and many more. I have always done Telugu whenever I got good roles even after becoming a hero in Tamil cinema. 'Mande Suryudu' became a big hit. I never consciously planned to take a gap. Whenever interesting films like 'Nenorakam' come my way, I will do them.

A message:

'Nenorakam' has got an emotional message. It's because I liked that point that I did the movie. The director designed the characters of Sairam Shankar and myself very well. This film was made keeping today's youngsters in mind. What is love and whose love is true, are touched upon.

Ready to play villain:

I am ready to play a villain of the kind played by Arvind Swamy in 'Thani Oruvan' ('Dhruva' in Telugu). I have done 140 movies thus far. I have played a range of roles, and I want to try something new. For example, the way Amitabh Bachchan dons distinct roles.

Chiranjeevi garu is always special:

Thanks to a group by name 80s started by Suhasini, we have been in touch with one another. Chiranjeevi garu is special because, when I approached him to act in my movie during the days when I was broke, he promised that he will do it for free. It was he who first said that I will become a big star. I wanted to do at least a small role in 'Khaidi No. 150' and requested Chiranjeevi garu and Vinayak garu. I will always be ready to act in his movie.

He competed with me:

Sairam Shankar's character was designed very well. He fit the bill. He competed with a senior actor like me in giving a good performance.

Secret of my fitness:

The secret of my fitness is that I eat it right at the right time. I work for at least 1.5 hours a day. And I don't consume alcohol.

No time for direction:

I directed my own 100th movie. But direction is no easy task. One has to take care of all the crafts from close quarters. It takes at least 6 months' time.

He is disgusting:

He (the one who made a sexual advance to Sarathkumar's daughter, who talked about the incident recently) is a lowly one. The situation my daughter Varalakshmi faced is faced by many women in our society.

Upcoming movies:

I am not doing any movie under Radaan banner. But we are making movies on I Pictures, which is our another banner. We are doing a film each with Vijay Antony and GV Prakash Kumar. I will be seen in a powerful cop's role in another movie.