July 09, 2012 Y. Sunitha Chowdhary
There is no trace of boredom or an iota of complacency after 130 films in the 30 year career of actor Sarath Kumar. Instead he is open and receptive to ideas, willing to take on risks and still has the enthusiasm and zeal of a newcomer in the industry. The actor and politician is often globe trotting, using all the latest gadgets to communicate and despite all that if he misses an appointment calls up people and apologises.
On the sets of 'Genius', he says, "I sometimes wonder if I'm Jack of all arts and master of none but I am not that. Overnight you don't become somebody, the mark of a true leader is when you go one way and the mass on the other, I will make the crowds come behind me.
Revolutions in the world have been triggered by one person and not crowds. I don't regret mistakes, bounce back and the experience teaches you. I'm happy my children have their head on their shoulders, I've given them the best and its upto them to perform, all I say is don't compare yourself with others, go out thinking you are the best."
The actor says he had taken a sabbatical of two and a half years from Tamil films and he being in politics none dared to approach him on the eve of the elections; it was that time Lawrence wanted him to do the eunuch's role in Kanchana without inhibitions and forethought though his physical structure wouldn't permit him to do it.
"I've a strong muscular body and it was challenging. The story had a message and Lawrence had the confidence that I could pull it off and I'm glad the release was first in Telugu and it did so well. When I go abroad to shoot, the first question people ask is if I'm from Hindi movies.
I want to do something big before I leave this industry. Also I want to deliver a big hit in Tamil cinema and make my debut in Hindi. I'm currently doing a Kannada film by Nagashekhar that has me playing a cop and a role in Rajinikanth's Kochadaiyaan."
Ask him where he gets his energy from to face so many problems in his personal and professional life and he quips, "I too wonder, many people ask me this but I'm unable to answer. I'm always happy, even if I run a temperature I don't talk about it. I don't like to be hit below the belt and don't stoop to that level too."
