'I have done all kinds of things in Cinema Choopista Mavva'

'It was a pleasure working with Avika Gor. I would love to work with her again,' Telugu actor Raj Tarun tells Radhika Rajamani.

Telugu actor Raj Tarun wanted to be a director but fate had other plans for him.

His first film Uyyala Jampala released in 2013.

Now, he's ready with his second film Cinema Choopista Mavva.

In this chat with Rediff.com contributor Radhika Rajamani, Raj Tarun talks about his new film, acting with Avika Gor and his passion for cinema.

What made you become an actor?

I wanted to become a director. I was working as an assistant director for my first film (Uyyala Jampala). During the pre-production stage, I was told to act in the film. I used to act in short films so it was nothing new.

How did Cinema Chupista Mavva happen?

The script was very exciting. 

The conflict in the love story between Rao Ramesh, Avika and me (was very exciting). This kind of film has not happened in the recent past so it looks new. 

If I don’t like a film, I will not be able to do it. I got this film after waiting for eight months. I felt it was different and wanted to hear the script again. So the writer Prasanna narrated it again and I loved it even more. The script took five-six months to get fine-tuned.

Is this also set in the village like your earlier film?

Not at all. This is a Hyderabad set-up.

Did you have to prepare for this role?

I play an intelligent person, who doesn’t study.

My dialogues are lengthy, so I had to prepare. I would sit with the writer in a coffee shop and prepare -- what I needed to stress on, in the dialogues. 

I have done all kinds of things in the film like playing Duryodhana, Bheeshma and even an auto driver!

I also did comedy. It was a beautiful experience.

The dialogues were over-the-top, and that was something new for me. When I saw the film, I was happy with all the hard work put in.

How was it acting with Avika Gor for the second time?

It was a pleasure. I would love to work with her again.

She is too good, down-to-earth and doesn’t take long to mingle. She was born to act. She will be in the acting mood once the director says action, whereas I would take a few seconds.

Do you feel one has to struggle more so if one is not from a film family?

Everyone has to struggle. The entry is difficult for those from non-film families. Those who come from film families come with baggage. They have to prove themselves.

Do you feel such low-budget film stories will go down well with people?

Actually, there will be a connect. When people come here to watch a film, there has to be some entertainment.

What are your future projects?

I am working on two other films right now, one of which is being produced my brother Sukumar.