Mumbai takes me more seriously: Sandalwood actor Kiran Srinivas

We remember the first time we saw posters of Haage Summane, a 2008 Kannada film that marked the debut of the then-pubescent looking Kiran Srinivas. Critics said that Kiran was, ‘too cute’ for Sandalwood, but popular vote hoped for better. Kiran stole a million hearts and that was it, the film failed to bag any serious attention and was forgotten. Kiran continued trying to make a career in Sandalwood, but was offered all the wrong films and finally packed his bags and moved to Mumbai.

“I decided to move to Mumbai, not because I wasn’t being offered roles, but more because I was offered the same roles. The cute, good, chocolate boy, whom producers and directors felt would work well with female audiences. I, on the other hand, wanted to act, to enjoy what I do and so Mumbai seemed like the only option,” opens Kiran.

So did it work, we ask. “Yes, it did. It worked wonderfully. In no time, I was doing several ad campaigns, shooting TVCs and even bagged a few indie films, short films and a full-fledged Bollywood production. Mumbai takes me more seriously,” enthuses Kiran. Quite predictably we ask Kiran for more details and he indulges us. “First I shot for a short film that went to Cannes and then took on an Indie project in Hinglish. In between, I kept shooting TVCs and ad campaigns to keep the finances flowing. The Indie project called, What’s On Your Mind was exciting. It had me portray the role of a photographer in Goa. A young chap with shades of grey who had gone terribly wrong — such a cathartic role after all the candy floss.”

And then? “Soon after that I was also offered a role in the latest production from the house of Vicky Films, the same guys who made Lakeer and Zor. The film features an all new cast and the first schedule of shooting in Poland is already completed. The film is called Rhythm for now. I am actually in Bangalore on a hiatus, in between the schedules,” Kiran explains.

Extremely excited on Kiran’s behalf, we are however left wondering if Sandalwood still excites the actor. “Sandalwood is home and will always excite me. It’s just that the offers were bad. Good news is however that I might just sign on a Kannada film again. It’s a little too early to talk about it, but I am talking to someone with a great script. If all goes well, we’ll begin shooting, pretty soon,” concludes Kiran.