Naga Anvesh, who was a child artiste, is set to make his T-Town debut with Vinavayya Ramayya. He shares with indiaglitz about his journey into showbiz and how he prepared for the role.

We heard you have a filmi connection?

My dad was a producer and made films like Sindhurapuvva, Premasikharam, etc. and Tagore Madhu is my uncle (he's my father's brother).

How did you get into films?

When my dad used to produce films, they were looking for someone to do a small role (child artiste). My dad thought instead asking someone, he asked me to do it. Then EVV Satyanarayana (late) uncle saw that role and cast me in his film Intlo Illalu Vantintlo Priyuralu. Later, I did a few films like Aayanagaru, Sainukudu, Sahasabaludu Vichitra Kothi, etc.

How was it like facing a camera at the age of 4?

I don't remember anything from that. All I remember was there used to give me an ice cream after every scene, so I used to act for that ice cream (laughs).

What fascinated you towards films?

Everybody dreams of something in their childhood – to be a Lawyer, Astronaut, etc. Likewise, I decided to become an actor and stuck to it. My parents also supported my decision.

Were you trained in anything before getting into showbiz?

I learnt dance at a very young age. Acting wise, I used to practice a lot in front of the mirror and my friends. After my Engineering, I went to Subhash Ghai's acting school and got trained for one and half year. After I came back, I joined dance and fights course again.

How did the training change you as a person?

It changed me lot. Before I went to Whistling Woods (Subhash Ghai's acting school), I used to be very shy guy and never used to socialize and had trouble talking to new people because I was brought up in a protective cocoon. But later, I got the expose since I had to live on my own. Acting wise too, there's a tremendous improvement since I had undergone some customized programs like Master Class, in which the institute gets Bollywood actors like Sherman Joshi, Boman Irani, Hrithik Roshan, etc and deliver lecture. So it's always an experience to learn from the people who are in the profession.

What drove you to get into the project?

Basically, it's the script. We got the script done I thought it would be an ideal launch pad for me and we took it to Ram Prasad uncle.

What's your role in Vinavayya Ramayya?

I play Chanti, a village guy, who peruses Engineering. He comes to the village for holidays but never goes back to the college because of the girl (heroine) Janaki. So the film is set in a rustic backdrop with a love story and comic elements.

Do you know that your co-star Kruthik played Venkatesh's daughter in Drushyam?

Yea, I know…but I don't think it's a big deal to discuss about (laughs)…I said I saw your movie and she also told me that she saw my film. I was looking cute back then and what happened to that cuteness (laughs)

Any interesting on the sets moments?

All memorable incidents I have on the sets are painful. There's one incident that's come hard on me. When I was shooting for the last song, I have put my finger accidentally in the pedestal fan on the sets. And then there was a lot of bleeding, but we had to finish the song that day and can't postpone the shoot because it was a huge set erected. So I went for the first aid and then back to resume the shooting in pain. So that was one of the incidents still stuck in my head. And we had fun on the sets too. Most of the cast and crew members are of my age are my friends before the film began shooting.

What did you learn from the film?

Basically, I learnt watching senior artistes perform how they come into the mood for the scene and then become normal once the shot is over. So that's something I need to learn. But I'm a quick learner as I used to take a long time like half-an-hour, feel said before doing a sad scene. But as the film progressed, I've improved a lot as an actor.

What's the USP of Vinavayya Ramayya?

I believe the hero's characterization is unique and the audience will get hooked to his role. The film also has a few comic scenes, which will have the audience in splits. So the film is a cocktail of all emotions and I hope nobody will get bored.