How did your film career start?

I was studying at MMK College, Mumbai. That time, Salman Khan’s sister Arpita happened to see me. But, I didn’t know that she told her brother about me. One day, I came from the hospital and the phone was ringing at home. My thoughts were fully clouded with my mother, who was at the hospital taking painful chemotherapy for the cancer. I received the phone and words from the other end said: Hi, I am Salman Khan. Could I speak to Sneha Ullal – I felt that somebody was joking. I just put down the phone repeatedly. When my mom came home after several days, I told her what had happened. Casually, I gave her the incoming number and she tried it back. It was truly Salman Khan who called for me. At first, I was nervous. But, Salman was a sportive man. My parents agreed to the proposal to take me in for the film Lucky. The film brought me instant recognition and I am thankful to the Indian media which shot me to fame. Currently, I am awaiting the release of three films in the coming months. Two movies are in the pipeline in Bollywood. As you know, I am doing the lead heroine in Manoj Kumar’s Nenu Meeku Telusa.
You are having a good time there (Bollywood). Why testing luck here (Tollywood)?I have no calculations. After all, I never thought that I would become an actress. At the same time, I have no inhibitions. I just behave like a normal girl what I was before a heroine. Karunakaran just wanted me for his project. I found it feasible and my dates didn’t clash here. I sincerely did what I could do as per the script. Now that the film (UU) was released, everybody is telling me – Hi, Sneha, you did a fantastic job … this and that. I sincerely trust them. I didn’t lose anything by coming here. As an actress, I am busy here.
Will you settle here if your position gets established here?

Why not? I am not new to South. In fact, my dad hailed from Mangalore. Let me frankly tell you. All these years, I was with my parents in the Gulf. I am not a settler in Mumbai. There also I am just an actress. Here, the same. Now that I have chosen the tinsel world as a career, I have to persist, and I shall.
Which you feel is better – Bollywood or South?

Definitely, it’s South which makes me feel happy. In Mumbai, people are very rude and that is their lifestyle. I don’t have any grumbling. As of me, I am lover of silence and wish to do things without noise. Within a short span, I finished two films without much difficulty. Moreover, people here are very flexible and don’t mind encouraging us, as we don’t know Telugu. But, there, we will always be missing the special attention. Nobody will encourage us. But, just exploit our potential. Rather, I say, it’s a raw deal sans heart and soul.
Heard you are doing a Hollywood flick. What’s it about?

Yes. I am doing a Hollywood film. It is Gandhi Park, to be completely shot in the USA. Tom George is the filmmaker. I already finished two weeks shoot. Soon, I will be resuming the shoot in the coming days. In that film, I am doing the heroine, what you say female lead. I am even happier that I could spread my arm further into the West.
What is your ambition?

This is one thing which keeps me watchful always. I can’t tolerate cruelty to animals, birds or any living creature. I have taken a vow to spread vegetarianism as best as I could. If I get sufficient money, I will start a hospital for the animals. I love them like I love human beings. Everybody is equal in the eyes of God.
Were you a born vegetarian?

Or convert?

It’s like this. One day, I was driving home. I saw some guys whipping and chasing some goats. They came before my vehicle. I just chided them for being cruel to the animals. They shot back – Hello, don’t you eat mutton?

Their words stung me like anything. Guilt covered me. Instantly, I decided to quit non-vegetarian food. And I did it. I am into my third year as vegetarian. When I came here (Hyderabad), I met Nagarjuna couple and got thrilled at their work. Association with them helped me to turn more resolute about my dream for a welfare animal kingdom. Of course, it might sound a fantasy, but I am hopeful of it. I also join the fight against Cancer and Aids.
Did you make any charity so far?

I did it personally. I don’t want to talk about it. I understand your suspicion. Yes. A lot many people talk about animal welfare, alleviation of poverty, fight against AIDS. Mostly, these things are just limited to mere slogans. It has also become a fashion to be a volunteer. If I could do it wholeheartedly, I don’t need to open it to the public eye.
How’s your mother now?

She is doing fine. But, she lost a lot of hair due to chemotherapy. She needs our love. And I am ready for it.
Did you ever fall in love?

Your opinion about marriage?

To be frank, I never thought much about these things. I am still young. Just 20. If you insist, I just say: I love my parents a lot. My dad is so possessive of me. When I want to go on a picnic for a day or two, he doesn’t even entertain the idea of being away from me more than a couple of hours. He makes hungama like a child. Now, they are aging. Their happiness is my happiness. I am dead against the thought of marriage until and unless my parents are assured of their happy life post-retirement. I don’t mind even skipping marriage for their sake.
What is your opinion about skin-show?

Skin-show doesn’t come under entertainment. Of course, I heard a lot about this in Mumbai, Muscat and in Hyderabad. It’s everywhere. But, I am not a taker for this. You see my debut film here (UU). Karunakaran showed me very decently. The same thing is in Nenu Meeku Telusa. I was made to present some decent appeal in the song sequences, that too on the suggestion of director Karunakaran. In other sequences, you will find me very traditional. I like those roles. I wait for those roles. And I will never ever go after roles for money or career. I strongly believe that people in South really don’t like exposing. It’s more a fallacy of mediocre filmmakers, misjudging the taste of the audience.
What kind of food you like?

I already said simple vegetarian dishes. Mostly home-made food.
What’s your favorite dress?

Jeans.
What are your favorite places in Hyderabad?

So far, I saw only Golconda. Since I was working in films here, they took me to the shooting spots. Golconda is one such. I wish to see entire Hyderabad and Nizam splendor as a tourist. Or like a Hyderabadi.
Who is your favorite actor?

In Bollywood, it’s Akshay Kumar. He knew me as a child. He kissed me once. I still remember it.
Recently, SRK and Salman were at loggerheads again. Whom do you support?I don’t know what had happened there. I can’t take sides.
Who are your friends in Mumbai and Hyderabad?

I don’t have any friends at all. I just maintain Hi-Hi relation. It doesn’t mean that I am arrogant. But, I have a good friend, our family well-wisher in Salman. Now, I feel, it’s so long that we spoke again. Of course, he is busy.
What about your studies?

I am studying degree. I just took some break. I will continue.
What is life in your dictionary?

It’s humanism. Love for all.

How come you are in Tollywood?

I am from Bangalore. I have been associated with the films since 1991… that means from the time I was a child. My dad had produced about 20-to-25 films in Kannada since then. The ambience of film shooting is not alien to me. When I expressed my desire to enter into films (as hero), my mother insisted that I should make my debut only in Telugu. It is because she is from Andhra Pradesh (Chittoor district). In tune with my mom’s wish, I am here. Actually, I met director Karunakaran at a function in Chennai. Over a period of time, we got together and the project did materialize this way. I also like Hyderabad very much. I came here a couple of years ago and observed a lot many things about film industry here.
What’s the specialty of Ullasanga Utsahanga?

How different is the love subject in it?

It is not a commercial love story. It is different with fascinating and platonic love. It has the backdrop of a city. I play the role of a roaming guy in a colony and fall in love with a girl who comes there to spend the summer vacation.
Tell about that caption of the film – The Rain of Love?Actually, it was the caption considered for Karunakaran’s Tholiprema. Now, we took it and kept for my film. We actually thought of putting it as the title. Later we dropped the idea as it might sound as an English title.
How comfortable are you in dubbing?

It’s a not a big problem. I can speak good Telugu. In fact, we readied two options: Dubbing voice by myself and alternative from a dubbing artiste. Director Karunakaran will decide the final version on his discretion.
What about Sneha Ullal?

Did you find any Aish-like features in her?Not really. She has changed a lot and is seen with new looks. Her hairstyle also changed a lot. The credit goes to the director. Ullasanga Utsahanga is her debut film in Telugu. She is a busy artiste in Bollywood. I felt happy working with her.
Is there any resemblance between UU and Karunakaran’s film with Pawan Tholiprema?Nothing like that. My film is totally a different one. I had watched Tholiprema more than a couple of times. I didn’t find any similarity between the two.
Tell us about music director GV Prakash?

He is a genius. Now, he is just 21 years. Previously, he worked for Tamil hit film Veil. Seeing his raking performance, Karunakaran roped him in for our film.
Did you take any training in dance?

No. It all happened only after I got into the film. Choreographer Kalyan master did single card for this film. He is very friendly. He is very smooth and soft. That’s why I didn’t feel any problems. Not even once, I felt nervous.
Did you watch your footage in the film?

How did you feel?

Not much. I just watched two scenes. The film is currently under Digital Intermediate (DI) process and scanning. Karunakaran watched the output and expressed his supreme satisfaction about the output. Cinematography by Andrew Y. is fantastic. He was the assistant to PC Sriram.
What were the Kannada films that you watched in Bangalore?But for that hit film Mungaru Malai, I didn’t watch any Kannada film since my childhood. I regularly watch Telugu and English. I didn’t even watch Tamil films. It is because both Telugu and Kannada are given equal importance by Kannada people. To that matter, more importance is attached to Telugu films. There is no jingoism. I watched a good number of films of Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan.
What is the budget of UU?

How many working days did it take?We have never compromised anywhere. We wanted quality first. The budget took us somewhere around Rs. 8 crores. The film was shot for about 120 working days. A good movie taken with Rs. 2 crore or Rs. 10 crore budget will collect the same revenue. Since this being my introduction film, we don’t want to take chances over quality.
Who is your favorite actress?

Soundarya.
What do you do at past time?

I go to gym, morning walk, golf etc.
Is Yasho Sagar your real name?

My real name was Bharath. I turned Yasho Sagar based on my horoscope and numerological suggestion. Yasho, I think a Sanskrit word, means fame. Sagar means as you all know – Samudram. This happened after the shoot was in progress.
When are you planning to release the film?

Most probably on the second Friday of July 2008.

The maxim – Practice makes a man perfect – has become the biblical standard for Hero Ram. Undoubtedly, the young actor won rich accolades for his more than convincing performance in Devadas, followed by raking histrionics in Jagadam. Success or failure, it least bothers him. This is the enviable parameter which an actor can hardly have at just 20. His latest film Ready is all set to hit the screens on June 19th. Ram dwells into his early days, a greenhorn’s touch in Devdas, failure of Jagadam, friends, love; and more about career. How many of the audience really know that Ram’s first priority was Tamil films as an actor? His info about Eyebrow dance is a thrill. Excerpts from an exclusive interview to avinash media...

What pulled you towards film industry?I

t was right from the time when I got to my senses. My entry into film industry has nothing to do my background as the one who belonged to filmmaker’s family. Even I hardly watched Telugu films. Most part of my childhood and education happened in Chennai. But, a sense of becoming an actor seeped my nerves involuntarily. Even as a child, I used to dance, so say my family members. They had even videoed the footage. They told the neighborhood and the inner circles that I was a good dancer. Perhaps this kind of constant exposure to live and nonstop encouragement from all sides might have made me passionate about acting.
As I grew up, what ever I did, I kept mind that it should be useful to me when I take to acting in future. The outlook still guides me. I showed a lot of interest in crash courses of all kinds – acting, dancing, horse-riding, stage performance, book reading and what not. I spent hours going through Oxford University Press publications. At the age of 12, I acted in a short film, which won high praise and got me an award at a film session in Switzerland. To become an actor is not a child’s play. I trained myself in dance, aerobics, horse-riding and whatever that was necessary to become an actor, before I set my foot here.
When I was in school, Oscar Ravichandran found a good actor in me and I was about to do the film Kadhal in Tamil (Premiste in Telugu). I had to do Devadas by rejecting Premiste. MS Raju asked me for his film when I was 13 years. It was YVS Chowdary who introduced me with Devadas. I didn’t know any rules and regulations. But I was confident. I used to do a lot of homework before I entered the sets. I believe in this adage – Practice makes a man perfect. I am thankful to YVS, who wanted to introduce me not as a mere actor, but as though I was the son of a big hero. Devadas turned out to be a complete mass flick.
What went wrong with Jagadam?

When I signed the movie Jagadam, I was filled with an urge to become an actor, and not a hero. If you want to make Jagadam, it should be like that only. Any change is required, better not to make the movie at all. This was the perception. The film suffered a steep fall in the second half and unconvincing climax. Basically, it was done with youth in mind. The film is about – what happens when youth gets carried away by violence and goondaism? My role saw heroism in goondaism. The audiences are such that they praise the movie when it becomes a hit, and won’t miss to point out when it flops. Definitely, I have taken too much of load on me in Devadas and Jagadam as well.
You got a mass image where success or failure of a film doesn’t really matter.

Don’t you think, over a period of time, it might lead to stagnation in your career with channels of exploration to become a good actor blocked?

Yes. I agree with you. I take the flop of Jagadam as an advantage. I never really concentrated much on the image of a mass hero. Take Devadas, a little bit of loud acting on the part of the hero was necessary. In Jagadam, a kind of underplay was done. I wish to be called the way – He can do anything. YVS Chowdary calls me – Chocolate boy with rough looks. I can be too cute and I can be manly too. With these two options at my disposal, I am always interested in bringing variation in film.
Into what kind of genre does Ready fit into?

Even I too can’t categorize it into any particular genre. It is a mix of everything. Those who don’t understand which genre is Ready up to will surely understand it most well. Ready is not entirely about the hero. It has all elements of entertainment. You have comedy, action, sentiment, music and all. It is a lighter vein subject, touching the corridors of a film like Nuvvu Naku Nachchav. It has both family and youthful orientation.
Genelia is an established and energetic actress. How did the chemistry between you two come out on the screen?

Genelia’s energy is endless. Actually, YVS Chowdary wanted to bring Genelia as my heroine in Devadas. Even for Jagadam, we tried. On both occasions, we didn’t get her. Coming to ready, we didn’t think of any other alternative. We were completely focused on Genelia, only Genelia. She is the most professional actress I have ever seen, both as an actor and part of the production. Her interest in flawless modulation is amazing. Unlike other heroines who just do it away with lip sink, she takes extra care for perfection.
What about director Seenu Vytla?

He is one person who keeps my spirits bouncing for something new always. He had a word of praise for me during the 175 days function of Devdas. From that day onwards, he continuously expressed his wish to do a film with me. For the success of a film, first we need directors who get excited about their projects. They should get excited about their heroes. No doubt, his comedy sense is wonderful. He made Ready as a feel good film on a fair angle with polished comedy.
The producer is always bothered about commercially. Won’t this parameter affect the real potential of an artiste?

Definitely. This development at present is unavoidable.
Tell about the producer of Ready?

Generally, the producer tends to spend less in hero's home production so that he could get more table profit. But for Ready, my uncle Ravi Kishore spent a lot of money just to make sure that the film is rich in visuals and content.. A lot of planning is involved in setting the combination of artistes and adjustment of their dates. In the future even if other producers are not willing to produce films of artistic/experimental nature, I always have my home banner Sravanthi Movies to fall back on.
How do you look at a movie, when it comes to business?

If a producer gets losses, what’s your part up to?So far, I never took the business angle seriously. Hereafter, I feel like interested in that also. I generally think of doing a good film and my producer should get his money and even profits. Coming to my role in bailing out the producer from losses, such situation has not come to me till now.
What about your friends here?

I don’t have many friends over here in Hyderabad. My friends’ batch is in Chennai. I don’t go out except during the shoots. To be frank, I don’t have friends in film industry here. Getting into new association for its own sake will not interest me. It will look artificial. I went to Touch a couple of times, so far. I don’t drink and I don’t smoke. Of course, I did it for the screen in Jagadam.
Tell us about your female fans?

Their number swells each time they see Devadas. I don’t feel free moving with girls. I am shy, but I put on a brave front. Recently, I got a call from a girl. I attended it casually. This call multiplied and multiplied with many girls on the line even after the midnight. Later, I strictly controlled it. But, I give a lot of importance to the feedback from the audiences and my well-wishers.
Can you make a comparison of your perception before and after coming into the films?

To be clear and say again, I never wanted to become a hero. I am obsessed to become an actor. As such, I don’t hold any particular view of it.
What kind of girl you want in real life?

Still a long way to go. I never thought of it. I am a family person. And I don’t have any dream girl. But one thing is sure. If I were to love, I will make it very seriously. When I get attached, that’s final. Okka Sari Fix Aithe, Anthe.
What’s special about your dances in Ready?

I am ever ready to experiment with new things. I did a simple gesture with eyebrows in Jagadam in a sequence. Now, I have done a full-length eyebrow dance in Ready. I practiced a lot for that. It will sure impress one and all. It is first of its lengthy experiment in Tollywood. It has been developed to a finer level by choreographer Prem Rakshit, who also worked with me for Jagadam.
Most artistes cherish a dream to direct, whether it materializes or not. Did you ever think of becoming a director?

After all, it’s a culminating point!I want to get into each and every field of filmmaking. In fact, direction is the most strenuous job. I will definitely do direction, but it takes a long time.
Your favorite quotation?(Thinks for a few seconds) Of course, Here is a couple of them – “Don’t walk as if you rule the world. Walk as if you don’t care who rules the world”. Next: “Do what you believe in. Believe in what you do.”
What’s your favorite holiday spot?

Switzerland. Of course, I like Araku and Vizag too.
What irritates you most?

I hardly get irritated.
What makes you excited?

When I try something different and when it’s appreciated.
Your favorite films in Hollywood?

I like the films of Jim Carry. He is one actor who would make us watch his films irrespective of the content.
Do you do faces like him?

Yes. I tried eyebrows experiment for a song in Ready.
What are your hobbies?I

don’t have time for hobbies. If I get free time, I stand in front of the mirror to improve/invent expressions,
Don’t you think the combination of your film with MS Raju-B.Gopal is little wierd?

Yes. It sounds very crazy and odd. That itself might work as a big publicity. People already told me the film would be flocked by one and all. Just because, they will more interested in knowing what the trio has done. B. Gopal and MS Raju thoroughly readied the subject in tune with my body language.
What about yours next with YVS Chowdary?

It is titled as 'Rey'. It will come up after MS Raju-B.Gopal film. Like Devdas, YVS project “Rey” requires lot of shooting in US.
You are one actor, who doesn’t like to be called as Babu in the industry. Why?

I always tell people around me not to call me Babu, as I have not come as a heir to anyone and I am not the son of a big hero. They think I am arrogant.
You spent most years in Chennai. But, you are able speak chaste Telugu. How is it possible to do without Tamil tinge?

If I speak Telugu, it should be completely the same language. If I speak Tamil, nobody will find that I am a Telugu man. Basically, I am from Vijayawada; and we speak Telugu in our house, and most of my friends are Telugus.
What about your interests in Tamil film industry?

Actually, before coming to Telugu film industry, my first and foremost priority was Tamil. Now that I have come here, I have to do many more films, before taking up Tamil projects. Definitely, I am going to do Tamil films.

Smita, fondly known as Hai Rabba girl is back with a bang and this time with her new album named after her. Hero Nagarjuna recently launched her new album Smita and she is all excited with the good reviews. Smita, who hails from Vijayawada was first spotted at the singing reality show Paaduta Teeyaga on ETV and there was no looking back her after that. As a teenager she launched her first album Hai Rabba and thus earned the name of being first pop singer in Telugu. Her other albums include Masaka Masaka, Club Mix, Hai Rama etc. After a break of four years, she hit the top charts with the new album. In these four years, Smita got trained herself in various courses in the USA besides playback singing. Her song ‘Evaraina Choosuntara’ from the film Anukokunda Oka Roju fetched her prestigious film fare award. Currently running high on success Smita unravels her future plans in an exclusive interview to avinash media

Why did you take a break? And what did you do between 2004 and 2008?

I am not here to make money. I am passionate about singing and performing on the stage. My last album 'Club Mix' was released in the end of 2004. Later on I did stage shows in 2005 and 2006. I went to the USA in October 2006 and got trained for three months in western vocals, gymnastics, martial arts, voice modulation and dances. My USA training opened my mind and expanded my horizons. I got trained by Hollywood technician Bob Cooff in voice modulation. He trained the Friends actors and Salma Hayak. I learnt Jazz/Ballet from Maria. Alicia Silverstone was my classmate during that time. Tim taught me martial arts. After training in USA I could see the bigger picture.
You have become slim. What did you do?

It was all natural and I don’t have an obsession for zero size. There is no needle mark on my body. I gained a few pounds in my USA trip. I have taken weight reduction serious and lost over 13 kilos in a span of a year. I could have lost weight in months if I had used artificial way. I used to workout 3-4 hours day for the last one year. Now my weight is 50 kgs.
How did Smita album happen?

Bosco (of Bosco Caesar) is a good friend of mine. We roped in Vishal Sekhar to compose music for my album around 3 years back. He composed a couple of songs for me. Then he was flooded with Bollywood offers and he used to give priority to films. The 'Na Lada' tune of Tashan film was scored for my music album first. He could score only 2 songs in eight months. I got frustrated and aborted the project. Overnight, I made a decision to go to USA and got trained.
After returning from the USA, Bosco introduced me to Sajid – Wajid. There were the schoolmates of Bosco. We hit off well. I asked for 3 bollywood kind of songs, one western, one folk song etc. They did a great job composing for Smita album. We decided to promote this album aggressively with music videos. Mahive and Aaja Nachle were the popular choices and we made videos on these two songs. We will be making videos on Zara Zara and Ouch soon.
How did you rope in Sony BMG?

We had known them for a few years. We approached them with the video song and they got excited. They are also looking for performing singers in India and my profile interested them. We hardly see any music album where singer is performing these days. Sony BMG said that they would not only promote my album. But they will take me to the next level and plan my career internationally.
Who are your favorite performers?

I would like to take the best from each and every singer and yet retain my own identity. I love the looks and presentation of Beyoncé. I love the energy of Madonna. I like the belly dance aspect of Shakira.
Tell us about the support of your family members?

If I did not have the support of them, I would have remained as just another girl from Vijayawada.
What is your next project?

Right now I am busy with promoting Smita album nationally. My untimate dream is to go international. I want to bring musical theater here one day.
You are producing your own music. Are you not looking at the commercial aspects?

I am a long term player. I can't grow if I compromise now. Money will follow once I become hugely successful.
Do you have any social service orientation?

Yes. I am sponsoring 10 mentally and physically challenged kids in Khammam. I will devote my entire life to social service once I retire. I want to start a foundation and do social service. Richard Gere influenced me a lot with his 'Heroes Project'. I realized how much one could do to the human kind once you become powerful.

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