Dil se : Bubbling with energy

Deemed on the distaff side to be the most eligible bachelor of T-town, Adivi Sesh, given the energy he oozes, comes across as man wedded to his craft. He left his imprint on the industry quite early with his impactful film ‘Karma’, not just as an actor but also as a director. He has displayed his acting prowess through versatile roles.

The shining star’s illustrious journey serves as an inspiration to those who want to rely solely on their instincts, strengths and dedication towards the industry’s exacting demands. The success of ‘Major’, a sentimental flick, has been a game changer for the actor-director in many ways. In a conversation with The Pioneer’s Shikha Duggal, Adivi Sesh shares how he found his calling and recounts the defining moments of his life in the tinsel town.

Delicate

Not just calm, I was a very, very quiet child — so serene in fact that my parents recall me not even wanting to remove the original packaging of the soft toys they used to give me. I just did not want to see the toys getting soiled unnecessarily. And then, came God’s most unexpected blessing: baby sister. She broke all my toys and tore up all those packaging material (laughs out).

Quite cool

I remember trying to steal a book from a store once, because my friend had told me that was a cool thing to do, failing which I would be labelled as not cool. That was the point of contention since I had a chance to become one of his gang members! Needless to say, I was horrible at it! I got caught. Luckily, the store owner was very forgiving.

From loner to life of party

Yes, growing up in Berkeley was tough. The Indians in school were not fluent in English in the beginning. As for Americans, they did not relate well to my British Indian accent. So, it started off as a really lonely time. But Berkeley High School changed my life, to be very honest. Over time, I made friends and found an extrovert bone in my body! From a loner, I came to be known as the life of parties. Truly, it was my time in Berkeley High School that gave me the guts to try acting as a career.

Learned family

We are mainly a family of doctors. My dad, both my sisters are in the medical field. They are not just like any other doctor; they are extremely well-informed about their profession. They surprise me at times! I and my mother are known as ‘street-smarts’. I am often told that I would have excelled in academics if I had put my mind into it. I think they just love me too much (giggles). But the idea of hard work is something my parents instilled in me at a very early age. To this day, I consider hard work as my ‘Brahmastra’.

Grandfather’s example

My father is the youngest of eight children. As for my grandfather, he was a freedom-fighter and much older by the time I was born. I often found it so inspiring that he had taught himself English just from the newspapers he could find in his village! And he spoke English perfectly. I used him as an inspiration to learn Telugu, because I never had the chance to learn the subject in school. It brought me back in touch with my roots.

The kingdom of God is within  

I was a lot more spiritual while growing up. Lately, I realized that the effort to look within has diminished because I have had no time for myself. Nothing like finding inner peace in the presence of God! He created mankind in His likeness, He provides me with a conscience. I have an awareness of what is good and what is bad. That does not come from religion, it comes from inner beliefs.

Always an Indian actor

Many in the Hindi media think I have been in the movie business for 20 years! It is not true.  As a 15-year-old, I had landed a small role in a Telugu film and then made my actual debut 11 years later. The small role was pitched to me as that of the protagonist and that is how the struggle goes for most. I also remember being five years old and pretending to be Rambo, by showing off muscles and a plastic machine gun. I have always been an Indian actor. Every shot, every dialogue, every scene was designed properly even in my last hit. It is not just dubbed. And, it is a true-blue film made in Hyderabad. In my next four films, I have at least two that are going to be shot properly scene for scene in Hindi.

I do only films that I like

When I first entered the industry, they told me that there are many young actors and it will be tough to sustain oneself in this business. And it is true, especially if you have no background in cinema because there will be no guidance. When there is no guidance, you will make wrong choices, wrong decisions, and pick the wrong films. I realized very early that the right decisions will take you a long way. That does not mean each film I do will be a hit, but I was fixed that I will only do films I like. Because many actors are in a position where though they do not like the film, they have committed to do it, so they are put in a state to act in that film. I do not like to do it that way. If a film does not work out, I will sit and talk, and then figure out how to do it better. Otherwise, from the first, I consciously think and do a film I like. That is also probably why I have done only four films in the past six years.

Unforgettable moment

My most memorable experience in cinema was on Panjaa. They said the set was for a song and we are going to shoot it. I was surprised and said, “I have a song?!” I remember walking in for the song and that was one of my first experiences.

Insights on the HIT sequel and more

The HIT universe is getting bigger, and grander. What had started off as one case in Telangana will expand into other cities and states all over India! With the canvas becoming much bigger this time, I was pitched the role of Krishna Dev, a laidback but charismatic cop who encounters a horrendous murder in a sleepy town.The film takes place in Visakhapatnam. It is riveting and intriguing. A lot of the Hindi film lovers who liked Major have been bombarding me with messages to dub it into Hindi. I think we might.

Changing moods in movie set

My typical day on set is often anxious because I am my worst critic! And the set is ground zero. It is where you give your best. But the euphoria I experience when the director likes my performance in a shot is something I live for in this industry. I recently had my pinch-me moment of life in this industry when I got the seal of approval from Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s parents themselves. Recently I also realised we are so much consumed with our acting lives that I am emotionally unavailable for my family sometimes. I am going to start working on this from now on.

Medal from commandos bigger than an Oscar

The people who live that life, people who are training to be officers in the National Security Guard, for them to validate it from a space of saying ‘this is how our lives are’ was incredible. In addition to that, this is from the NSG Mumbai, and the front gate of the Mumbai Hub is called Unnikrishnan Dwar, and the centre of the campus has a statue made in honour of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. So, for the people who worship him — some of them have even worked with him; for them to give me this medal as a token of appreciation was gold, bigger than an Oscar for me.

Major vs Shershaah

They are about as similar as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. At the end of the day, each man is remarkable in his own way, and they have had different lives. It is also cool that they were both in Mission Vijay together in Kargil. I just think, at the end of the day, there is a certain level of similarity all soldiers will have, especially the idea of leaving their families behind and things like that. But the challenges, the victories, the journey, and the kind of person one is turn out to be completely different. The problem is completely different from the battlefield – one is in the open, atop mountain, while the other is in a huge hotel.

I don’t enjoy directing anymore

I never was a master in directing. People don’t realize this, but I have had four to five blockbusters when I wrote my films. But I did not enjoy the same success as a director! I don’t enjoy directing now! And a lot of people don’t realize that writing and direction are completely different art forms.

Imposter syndrome is alarming

My insecurity as an actor worries me sometimes; it is the imposter syndrome. Sometimes there are feelings of being inadequate — nagging, experience of intense feelings that are not worthwhile. Those feelings that I am not good enough at what I am doing, these sometimes bog me down, but I know how to throw my shine again.

Rapid fire

Tell us your current top actor in the country: Mahesh Babu
Which movie is having the best word-of-mouth right now: Kantara
Relationship status: It’s complicated
One thing that makes you feel sexy: A shower and a trim
What’s the meanest thing one has said about your acting: I once read a movie review that said, I simply act to fulfil my boy-hood fantasies!