Telugu actor Vishwak Sen returns to playing a cop six years after the admirably stoic Vikram Rudraraju from Sailesh Kolanu’s HIT franchise. His latest character, DSP Sankalp Naik, in the upcoming slasher film #Cult, is, in his own words, “Vikram Rudraraju on steroids.”
Sen, who also returns to the director’s chair with the film, has remained honest about the need to remain responsible for his comeback. The actor speaks to The Hollywood Reporter India about the skill of staying objective, approaching criticism constructively, the shift that AI has brought to viewing patterns, and why Bethlehem Kudumba Unit is the best love story he has seen in five years.
You’ve directed films like 'Falaknuma Das' and 'Das Ka Dhamki' earlier. But what brought you back to direction with ‘#Cult’?
Every time I tell myself not to direct for at least five years, I end up directing in three years. This has been a pattern. More than showing it to audiences, making a film and seeing it for myself remains a main inspiration every time I direct.
The genre was exciting. It is something offbeat from what we've been seeing for the past few years in Indian cinema. I felt like I should be the first one to flag it in Telugu cinema. When films like this work, it makes way for many other people to imagine things that never existed before.
You’ve spoken about how you felt it was your responsibility to make a comeback with a film like ‘#Cult’, following the responses to 'Laila' and ’Funky’. How important is it for you to remain honest with yourself and your audience?
This film wasn't planned as a comeback, but it ended up this way. I was able to translate the intention on screen. It made me even more responsible about everything. I don't know how else to be. It's not a film protocol, but I can't play one character at home and be another during promotions. I don't have the energy to maintain a different personality for the sake of my image. I've been this way since my first film. Initially, people told me not to be so transparent. Perhaps they mistook it for arrogance, or thought I was trying to imitate someone else. But over time, I think they understood that this is just who I am. I've been like this since my school days.
Is it difficult to deal with criticism when, as an actor, you are often the face of a film and its most visible representative?
I accept criticism. I don't sugarcoat my film after release. When it's not good, I don't sugarcoat it. My fans have trusted me for a long time, and even after setbacks, they have believed in me. My responsibility is to give them a great film. I hope I make them proud.
How does it feel to objectively direct yourself?
People feel a director’s role involves something heavy, but I enjoy directing. Since I love it, I never experience it as a burden. It's not a challenge to direct myself because instead of explaining a scene to an actor, I do it myself. We understand the flow of the scene, and I try to fit into the scene rather than try to shine in a scene.
Is it challenging to excite audiences today?
It is definitely challenging to excite audiences, but from what I’ve seen, people want to see more stories about personal struggles, internal conflicts and human experiences, rather than larger-than-life tales. They want stories that feel personal. I think AI is a big reason for this shift. Even when someone makes a big film with a lot of CGI, audiences aren’t necessarily excited by it because half of what they see is made with AI and the other half by humans. The average viewer can no longer easily tell the difference between the two.
Something big isn't exciting them. They want personal human dramas that are original, internal and emotional. Take films like Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, Maharaja, DC, and Baththa. These stories aren't about elevating a person or a person trying to save a community or trying to stand up for people. BKU had the best love story I’ve seen in the past five years. We’re peeking into two people’s personal lives, and that feels authentic. You forget that you’re watching a film.
I would love to be part of such stories. I am on the same track right now, and I'm trying to do this. I'm moving away from larger-than-life stories.