Exploring new horizons

With actors like Rana Daggubati, Harshvardhan Rane and Nandoo stepping into Hindi cinema, the trend of Telugu actors venturing into Bollywood unfolds again

A good number of Telugu actors have ventured into Bollywood over the years with an intention to expand their market, fan base and to experiment. Whatever the cause may be, most of the stars – from Chiranjeevi to Nagarjuna, Venkatesh to JD Chekravathy – have all tried their hands at the Hindi market.

While their entry did create a flutter, it’s another story that they didn’t really continue there for a long term. And again with a new generation of actors like Rana Daggubati, Harshvardhan Rane and Nandoo, we see the trend unfold again.

Says Nandoo who recently signed a Hindi flick in which he will play the antagonist, “I never thought of venturing into Bollywood. But when I was approached, I thought ‘why not’? The prime reason for me to sign the film was because I will be a white paper there.

There’s no particular image in the minds of the audience about me and it will be like starting a new chapter of my life.” Rana who featured in ‘Dum Maaro Dum’, ‘Department’ and ‘Baby’ says that he isn’t really trying hard in his journey in Hindi cinema.

“The reason I first gave it a try was because the offer was exciting and so I decided to explore a new arena. But I will tell you that though I was part of some ambitious films, my journey wasn’t as great as I would have liked it to be,” shares Rana.

“I will continue to do films in Hindi – as a matter of fact language isn’t a barrier for me if the content is good. I have decided that I will give attention to content which can reach out to all languages,” he adds.

The macho actor is presently awaiting the release of Hindi dubbed version of ‘Baahubali – The Beginning’. “Yes. That’s what I was saying. Content that can appeal to people all over will be my aim henceforth,” he insists.

But for people who have a real perseverance and will to join Hindi cinema, it’s easily possible, says Harshvardhan Rane who is debuting with John Abraham’s production house. “I was in talks for a role in ‘Satra Ko Shaadi Hain’ from a long time.

I always wanted to be a part of Bollywood too along with other industries,” he shares. When quizzed if he wasn’t satisfied with the work he was doing in Tollywood, he is quick to reply: “Absolutely not. I started from Telugu cinema, so I will be indebted to it. However, as an artiste, I want to reach out to a larger section and Hindi cinema facilitates that.”

Sudheer Babu, interestingly, is another name who will be making his B-town debut alongside Tiger Shroff next. From the present crop of actors, the likes of Ram Charan, Sundeep Kishan and Nithiin have also had a brief brush with Bollywood but failed to leave their mark. It will be interesting to see how long the new influx of Telugu actors will keep going.

By Pranita Jonnalagedda