'Puneeth is the new sensation'

Malayalam superstar Suresh Gopi has reclaimed the khaki for the people. At a time when the very mention of police evokes derision, Suresh has in his on-screen endeavours epitomised the people’s cop time and again, for the message he beams is loud and clear: “Don’t misuse power”.

Suresh’s cop roles are best remembered for their fiery dialogues. Backed by scriptwriter Renji Panicker’s dialogues, his fiery oratory
is just lapped up by the audience.

But Suresh has stepped out of his acting space for the time being to host the Malayalam version of Kaun Banega Crorepati? (KBC) —  Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeswaran. He confesses that it is an ‘emotionally draining process’.

He points out that it’s nothing like acting at all, here there are no reel moments, it is all real feelings and real people. More than just hosting the show, he says he connects well with people who come on the show.

“I am a big fan of Amitabh Bachchan so when I was offered to host the show, I was wondering if I could pull it off  but almost miraculously the show has been gaining strength from episode to episode.

As I interact with people, I realise that our problems are so trivial compared to those of the ordinary people. I feel their pain, anxiety, happiness and sorrow. Nothing has been more satisfying for me than hosting the show,” Suresh tells Metrolife.

Suresh is bound by a contract of the KBC according to which, he is not
permitted to do any other project during his stint with the KBC. He will resume shooting only in July.

Talking about his experience with the people who come on the show, Suresh says, “Participants come with some real problems. They lack the basic facilities like water, electricity and education. In addition to inspiring them to play well, I lend a helping hand wherever I can. It makes me feel good.”

Commenting about Puneeth, hosting the same show in Kannada, Suresh says, “I’ve watched some of the episodes and I think he is the new sensation in the Kannada film industry.

He belongs to a family of actors and he’s pretty good at what he does.” There’s really no character that Suresh hasn’t essayed till date but he confesses that he would like to do something on the lines of a supernatural hero provided that character is conceptualised and treated creatively. Suresh has been approached by director Shankar (the maker of ‘Robot’) to play a substantial role in his forthcoming projects.

“Nothing has been finalised but I am in serious talks with Shankar. The character I’ve been asked to play is quite interesting and has different shades to it,” he explains.

Suresh acts and has been singing on different stages across the world, so will he plunge into direction or production sometime? “I am sure every actor has a director within. I give my inputs to the director which may help improve or add to the characterisation, already visualised by the director. I don’t plan anything, I take things as they some,” he says.