Bowled over by the silver screen

The City has its share of autistic children and the latest Kannada release, ‘Sachin Tendulkar Alla’, has done well to create awareness and sensitise people about the problem.

The movie traces the story of an autistic child who idolises Sachin Tendulkar.

His older sister is played by Suhasini Mani Ratnam who supports him in his journey to reaching his goal and the role of the cricket coach is played by former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad.

Child actor Snehith plays an autistic child in the movie.

This also happens to be Venkatesh Prasad’s debut in the film industry.

About how he signed the project, Venkatesh tells Metrolife that he was hesitant at first but then he thought he would give it a shot, “Acting alongside actor Suhasini was both exciting and yet there were times when I was nervous,” he says.

Venkatesh states that acting was the last thing on his mind, “But the role was interesting and it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.

The director was kind enough to give me dialogues that were easy to remember and playing my part wasn’t that tough. It’s something that I already know and familiar with,” adds Venkatesh.

Asked if this is the beginning to signing many more projects? Venkatesh says, “Nothing has been planned, I really can’t say for sure,” he states.

On being asked how his cricketer friends reacted to his role? He laughs saying, “Well, I don’t really have any expectations that people must say good or bad things about the movie. I just go with the flow,” shares Venkatesh.

Complimenting Venkatesh, Suhasini notes, “He speaks fluent Kannada and he picked up scenes pretty fast. But all said and done, I would be just as nervous as he was, if I was asked to play cricket but he did a remarkable job and it’s been great working with him.”

Snehith, who plays the character of an autistic boy, says, “It was tough to slip into the character but it is this challenge that made me accept the role.

I was nervous acting with Suhasini and Venkatesh but by the end of the shoot we were more than friends. I’ve always looked up to both of them and after this movie, I got to know them better,” Snehith sums up.