'Emo Gurram Egaravachu has over the top comedy'

After Golconda High School which released in January 2011, Sumanth has taken his time to sign a film. Treading a cautious path he finally chose Emo Gurram Egaravachu directed by Chandra Siddhartha where he is cast opposite Thai actress Pinky Savika. Sumanth took out a few minutes to chat about his latest release hitting theatres on Friday, January 24. Excerpts from an exclusive interview:

What interested you about Emo Gurram Egaravachu (EME)?

First of all, it is a kind of paradigm shift for me. It’s going to be my foray into full length comedy. The film is a romantic comedy with a stress on comedy. I have done comedy before but it was situational and subtle.

In Emo Gurram Egaravachu comedy is over the top. So, it was new territory for me. When I heard the script I thought Ravi Teja or Sunil would be apt for the role but the director and writer chose me. It was new for me.

What’s your role like?

I play this character who struggles to pass class X. He has appeared 14 times for the exam but has not passed it. It’s a high energy village character who wants to get a visa to go to the United States. How he goes about is what the film is all about.

This film has an interesting title that means “who knows the horse may fly...

Emo Gurram Egaravachu is an old Telugu saying. The film is the story of an underdog who does not think much of himself. So, the saying Emo Gurram Egaravachu – Who knows the horse can fly is symbolic of him. It came out of Keeravani’s (music director) song and his brother Kanchi wrote the story. But the title is near to the film and not too far-fetched. It created a discussion.

You have not done comedy for a while. How was it doing this film?

I did it in my debut film and it was subtle. Here it is completely different. It is over the top and loud. The character is also a fast-talking one. I thought it was going to be tough. On the third-fourth day, I was angry for not attempting it early. It came easily. I guess I underestimated myself. I was kicked when I pulled it off.

It must have been fun though...

Yes, it was definitely fun. Comedy is tough. I discovered comedy is not taken seriously by critics. It is tough to do as an actor.

You are teaming up with director Chandra Siddhartha after Madhumasam which released in 2007...

We have had a good comfort zone and wanted to repeat the experience. Madhumasam was an average success. For Chandra Siddhartha also EME is a shift. This is a straight entertainer. It’s a full-on comedy. He is known for his feel-good films which are message oriented.

Does this film also have a message?

It does. Practicality is not everything in life. Emotions are paramount. The message is not overt though. 

You are paired opposite a Thai actress Pinky Savika. How was she to act with?

She is definitely one of the most talented actresses I have worked with. She has been working in the Thai industry for the last two decades since a child. She is a star in Thailand. She did not know a word of Telugu but ensured she had no problem with lip sync in Telugu.

The film had its audio release in Bangkok. Is it because of the presence of Pinky in the film?

She’s a big star there. The film is dubbed in Thai and will be releasing there. The producer also lives in Thailand and has a business there.

Quite a bit of the film was also shot in Thailand?

Yes, it was.

What can the audience expect from the film?

Just expect to be entertained as it is a romantic comedy. There will be a completely new me.

You seem to be selective in your projects of late. Why so?

I did some films to keep myself busy. Some I did because of the script and when the script gets compromised you don’t want to compromise. After Golconda High School I did not have anything to be excited about.

Have you signed any new project?

I will be doing a film for my home production. I am listening to a few scripts and will finalise something next month.

What are your expectations from the film?

Once you are involved your judgement gets compromised. The film has been shown to a test audience and whoever has seen it has appreciated it. So there is a general positive buzz. I feel good about the film.