Continuing the lockdown series, today, we bring you an exclusive interview with none other than star comedian Vennela Kishore. In a detailed conversation, we got to know a lot of unknown facts about our so-called Kaka. Here is the transcript.
In this lockdown, fans are especially missing you banter on social media Where have you been?
To be frank, I have indulged myself in an online course called Inner Engineering. As a part of that course, the first thing I need to do is to stay away from social media. To keep it in simple terms, it is a detox kind of a course from social media and a hectic lifestyle in which you live on a daily basis.
What’s your take on this deadly Coronavirus?
I have been studying this for a long back. In fact, the moment it started in China, I was shooting for Rang De with Nithin and we were discussing in detail about this disease. In fact, we were planning to shoot the film in London but I remember telling Nithin and the team to select another place because this virus could spread badly. Here we are in a worse situation.
How are you dealing with the lockdown situation?
A few days back, I read a quote posted by Venkatesh garu which said “When you complain, you make yourself a victim. Leave the situation, change the situation or accept the situation. All else is madness” which is a quote by Buddha. I was very inspired by this and am just accepting the situation as it is.
What have you learned from this lockdown?
I have come to know how much my actual expenditure is. I understood with a particular amount I can live for a month which previously had no clarity. Also, I am taking one big meal a day to make my groceries last for long. One has to take the situation seriously and allow others also to have groceries equally.
What kind of shows are you watching?
The shows on Apple TV are quite interesting. I am watching Home Before Dark which is pretty good. Then, there is Ozark and Better Call Saul on Netflix. I am also watching Byomkesh Bakshi which is my favorite Indian show.
Tell us about your upcoming films?
I am doing Akhil’s Most Eligible Bachelor, Nithin’s Rang De, Allu Arjun’s Pushpa and the biggest of them all is the film with Chiranjeevi garu called Acharya. I have shot for a week already and am super excited about the film. Chiranjeevi garu is just nailing it in his role.
Not many know that you were a software engineer?
Yes, I studied in the US and used to work there until Vennela happened. Post that film, I came back to India and did Current in 2008. Even after that, I continued my job at JP Morgan in Mumbai. For years, I was doing this job until offers started to pile up.
That means, you always wanted to become an actor?
Never. Everything happened just like that. Things fell into place one after the other. Initially, my dream was to do a film with Sunil and Brahmanandam garu. They somehow attracted me a lot. Very soon in my career, I got to work with them and it has been so long in films now.
Vennela Kishore is a live wire on social media. But no one knows your personal life?
Yes, Even I do not want to keep that aspect in the open. My parents were very clear that they do not want to be in the media glare and that is the reason, I keep it a secret all the time. I feel that my work should speak and not what I am doing when I am not in front of the camera.
Tell us a very emotional moment in your life?
I do have many personal moments but I am a little uncomfortable to share. On the work front, I had one. I still remember, I was getting busy in Telugu cinema and built my dream house with all the hard owned money. During the house warming ceremony, I invited all my family but I could not make it to the function as I got a call for a shoot. My family was very upset and this hurt me a lot.
When will we see you direct again?
Laughs! You can ben safe in this regard as I won’t direct again in the near future. I am very clear about this aspect of life as of now.
How long will you do only comedy roles?
Once you become famous as a comedian, it is hard to do other roles. I would love to do a negative role and a serious character. Maybe in the near future, someone from an OTT platform will give me a big role.
What is your motto in life?
I am the kind of person who is a very private person and does not like socializing. You will hardly see me giving interviews. I am very practical in nature and always have backup plans for everything. I would suggest the same for everyone. One needs to have a backup plan as you never know what would happen to you. See this situation no one would have imagined that a day like this would have even arisen.
With that, we ended our interview with Vennela Kishore and wishes him the best of luck for his future projects.
Interviewed by Avad
