Hyderabad
November 2, 2006

He left his lucrative career in USA to become an actor in Telugu films. Ravi Varma, who got recognition with his negative character in Vennela is doing one of the three heroes in 3rd November release Nuvve. Here is brief chitchat with this passionate actor –

Background
I was born in east Godavari. We moved to Hyderabad when I was two and since then I have been here. I learnt Kathak when I was in 3rd class. Then l learnt Bhangra extensively for 8 years. I also learnt mime and gave several performances. I did my engineering in CBIT. We used to participate in dance programs when I was in CBIT.

After engineering, I was looking for an opportunity to act. When I went to Ram Gopal Varma Corporation, a gentleman called Ravi Varma suggested that I should go to USA to study and work while pursuing a professional course in acting. I went to USA did my masters in computers and started working in USA. I worked for rediff (US operations) for two and half years. I enrolled in NYFA (New York Film Academy) for a 3-month course. That course helped me a lot.

I met Deva in 2000 and he auditioned me for a lead role in his film. He promised me a role in his next directorial venture. Since then I have been in touch with him. I also worked for a production house called ‘Hollywood Bollywood’ as model and production assistant for a while. Then Deva called me and offered me the role of Syed in Vennela.

I was given three 3 months time to prepare for Vennela. I took the script from Deva and came to India. I visited local engineering colleges in Hyderabad, and observed the mannerisms of Muslim boys in Hyderabad, the way they talk, walk behave etc. I suggested some changes and Deva kindly agreed to make the changes. The shooting went on well. Vennela was a big hit and I was lucky to get a lot of recognition for my portrayal as Syed.

I got selected for one of the three main leads in Nuvve by Gopichand even before Vennela was released. My characters in Bommarillu, Sainikudu, Rakhi and Classmates are the result of my performance in Vennela.

Why do you want to become an actor?
I was always curious about how other people think and behave. I would love to be in their shoes and experience their way of life. That curiosity nurtured a desire to act.

How is the support from your family?
My parents have always been very encouraging. When I expressed my desire to join films, my parents welcomed it and suggested that I should complete my graduation before entering films. I am married now. My wife gives me a lot of moral support. Without her, I would not have entered the film industry.

What are your hobbies?
Movies are my first passion. Other than that I love listening to music and going on long drives.

Who are your favorite stars?
I like SVR, NTR and Chiranjeevi in Telugu. Amitabh Bachchan and Robert De Niro are my all time favorites in Bollywood and Hollywood respectively. I like Ravi Teja who set an example for perseverance in film industry.

What is your dream role?
I want to play a cop. I had always been fascinated by cop roles. I love cop films (Die Hard series and Beverly Hills Cops).

What are your future films?

Nuvve: I am doing the character of rich and young businessman. He enters into the heroine’s life. How he influences the girl forms the crux of the film.
Sainikudu: I am doing the role of Mahesh Babu’s friend in Sainikudu film. We are the youth who try to do whatever we can for society.
Rakhi: I am doing a promising role in Rakhi. Krishna Vamsi said that he would offer me a role in his next film after watching my performance in Vennela. He keeps his word always.
Classmates: I am doing one of the four important roles in Classmates along with Sumanth, Sharvanand and Sunil.

Any suggestion for the visitors of idlebrain?
Follow your heart and try to do what you always wanted to do. At least give it a try so that you will not have regrets later on in life. I have been a regular visitor of the website idlebrain.com for the past six years. I request you to watch all my films and give me your valuable suggestions.

More chitchats
• Sumanth
• Reema Sen
• Vishal
• Nayana Tara
• Nagarjuna
• RK (Hyderabad Nawabs)
• Mohit Ahlawat
• Sumanth 3
• Dr. Haranath Policherla
• Gangaraju Gunnam
• Ajay
• Dhanush
• Keeravani
• Rama Rajamouli
• Anushka
• Nitin
• Meera Chopra
• Ileana
• Dil Raju 2
• Mahesh Babu 3
• Sharvanand
• Kalyani Malik
• Sumanth 2
• Sekhar Kammula 2
• KM Radha Krishnan
• D Rama Naidu
• MS Raju
• Nagarjuna
• Puri Jagan
• Jayasudha
• Anil Krishna
• Allu Arjun
• Anthony
• Krishnam Raju
• Allari Ravi Babu
• Devanand
• Ramana Gogula
• YVS Chowdary
• Brahmanandam
• Sekhar Kammula
• Madhu Sharma
• KS Rama Rao 2
• Sumanth
• Srihari
• Mohan Babu 2
• Sania Mirza
• Suresh Kondeti
• KV Ramana IAS
• Raja
• Surya
• Vikram 2
• Srikanth Chinnamatur
• Prabhas 2
• Satya Krishnanan
• Prabhas 1
• MRV Prasad
• PG Vinda
• Jaya
• Devi Sri Prasad
• AM Ratnam 2
• Sonu Sood
• Ram Gopal Varma 3
• Mahesh Babu 2
• Shankar
• Vikram 1
• Mohan Babu 1
• KS Rama Rao 1
• Dil Raju
• Manyam Ramesh
• Tarun
• Raghu Babu
• Krishna Vamsi
• Posani Krishna Murali
• AS Ravi Kumar Chowdary
• Sravanthi Ravi Kishore
• MS Raju
• AM Ratnam
• Nagarjuna
• Ram Gopal Varma 2
• SS Rajamouli
• Venkatesh
• Mahesh Babu
• Ram Gopal Varma
• Vanisri