Interview: My mirror is my teacher, says Bobby Simha

With Waltair Veeraya, he says, his goal to work with the Megastar is accomplished.

Q. What pulled you into this project?

A. I am here because of Chiranjeevi. I worked with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, and now, the dream of working alongside the Megastar has been finally fulfilled!

Actor Bobby Simha. (ActorSimhaa/Facebook)

It is also important because my friend Bobby Kolli is directing the film. I had long ago stopped doing negative roles because I am doing lead roles in Tamil now.

But the way Bobby (Kolli) had etched the character and the weightage given to Solomon, whom I am playing, was immensely satisfying. I couldn’t refuse it.

I also believe that the ground given to a villain should be large. The hero’s role works out only when his adversary is given a proper character arc.

If a villain becomes a dummy, the graph of the film will crash; there have been roles like that pre-Covid, and I said no to all of them.

Q. Post-Covid, the audience is lapping up fresh content. What do you think?

A. The audience is mature and broad-minded. If you act well, they will encourage you and cheer you on.

It doesn’t matter if you are doing the lead role or that of a character artist. Any tiny footage, if executed well, is received and, of course, the content should be strong.

There shouldn’t be any regional barriers like Kollywood, Tollywood, etc. It is Indian cinema and shouldn’t be segregated on regional lines. We should take pride in calling it “our” cinema.

Q. How did you spend your time during the two lockdowns?

A. Pre-Covid, Ram Talluri of SRT Entertainments (Disco Raja producers) and I came up with a new production house.

Our first film was Vasantha Mullai (Vasantha Kokila in Telugu). We started it, put up the sets and Covid happened during the shoot.

We dismantled the sets and, after a year, we recreated them and got the dates of the artists. By the time everything was set, there was a second lockdown.

During Covid, we did Navarasa for Netflix to fund technicians’ salaries. I did Ammu for Amazon Prime. Also, I read a lot of scripts.

We took a 5D camera and shot a short film with limited people, like in 2010. We also did creative work because we had sufficient time and took permission to do the same.

Q. Any change in stories that you are being offered, post-Covid?

A poster of ‘Vasantha Mullai’. (Twitter)

A. There is a lot of potential in the scripts coming to me now. Earlier, it gave me feeling of déjà vu. Be it a negative or positive role, it was in a set pattern and formulaic.

Now, there is a change in the screenplay in some areas. Whatever it is, I am guarded and do only one or two films for the soul.

If I keep taking up everything that comes my way, the fans develop an aversion.

I ensure that monotony doesn’t set in and keep surprising my audience with the characters that I pick and portray. There should be an element of likeability.

Q. Tell us about your rapport with director Bobby and your expectations from Waltair Veerayya.

A. I came to know Bobby only after he began directing films. He saw Jigarthanda and I like his Jai Lava Kusa. When I joined Waltair Veerayya, we both connected in one way. It was a fanboy moment for both of us.

Bobby and I are huge fans of Chiranjeevi. When this combination happens on the set, the personal bonding automatically goes to the next level. I have a strong belief that this film will do well at the box office.

I am also waiting to read the reviews. Three films are getting released during this festival and these projects transcend boundaries. If the audience likes the content, cash registers will start ringing.

Meanwhile, Ram Talluri and I have decided to make content-oriented films. Vasantha Kokila will be released in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada in February.

Q. How is your association with Chiranjeevi and Ravi Teja?

A. You just can’t take your eyes off Chiranjeevi. He can change his expression in a fraction of a second.

The screen presence, his voice modulation, how to elevate and when to bring it down or keep it subtle… he knows it all. I learnt a lot from him on and off the sets.

A lot of actors get disturbed when there is noise and a lot of people on the floors, but Chiranjeevi has a unique way of maintaining his balance in front of the camera.

Ravi Teja is an energetic actor, who minds his business and is a switch-on-switch-off hero.

Q. Why is it that a technician or an artiste bags a great film only if the film is successful?

Bobby Simha. (ActorSimhaa/Facebook)

A. Some observers note your performance irrespective of the hits and flops. If the audience believes that an artist did a good job though the film is not great, they will give us an opportunity.

So, there are artists who do have not many hits but are still sustaining based on their performance. The directors acknowledge their work and offer them a role if they think they suit it.

Q. What’s your daily routine?

A. I wake up and spend a considerable time, maybe 20 minutes in front of the mirror. My mirror is my teacher and I do mirror exercises.

I observe a lot of people and their mannerisms. I watch a lot of movies and have a big social circle from my school and college days. I do introspect as to why the audience likes and dislikes a certain film.