'I'm here to be a star'

Actor Suraj Gowda is not apprehensive about experimenting. From playing a psychopath to a college student, he’s done it all. The actor will soon be seen in a bilingual project and is also preparing for his upcoming movie ‘Amar Chitra Katha’. In a candid chat with Tini Sara Anien, he sheds light on his roles.

Looks like your hands are full...
I finished shooting for the bilingual movie project — ‘Snehave Preethi’, in Kannada and ‘2 Friends’ in Telugu. I’m also very excited about my latest project ‘Amar Chitra Katha’.

Tell us more about it...
The bilingual project is a college love story which tries to analyse the importance of friendship over love. ‘Amar Chitra Katha’ will be a different kind of thriller film.

Are you sporting a new look for ‘Amar Chitra Katha’?
I have a really rugged look in it. I have to sport a thick beard and grow my hair. I  also need to gain weight for the role. The audience won’t even be able to recognise me.

Were you apprehensive about sporting such a look?
Not at all! I am very excited. The fun of being an actor is in playing different roles. All my movies show me in different avatars. I played the boy-next-door in one, a psychopath in another, a thief in one and a college student in another. I never do the same role.

A role you want to do...
I want to act in a biopic. I want to play a known personality, someone I can portray really well. When the audience sees my performance, they should see the person I am portraying and not me.

Is a movie defined by how well it does at the box office?
When movies make numbers at the box office, they get noticed more. This is a requisite to get recognised as an artiste. I am not here to be just an actor, I’m here to be a star. So the numbers matter.

You have often been labelled as a chocolate boy...
I have. But after my second movie, I got more acceptance. I wanted to convince people that I wasn’t just a chocolate hero and I was thankfully able to do just that.

Is fashion important to every actor?
It depends on person to person. Fashion is very subjective. It all boils down to what one is most comfortable in.

What are you most comfortable in?
Boxers.

When not on a set, what do you do?
I am into mixed martial arts and work out. I spend a lot of time at the gym. I am trained in classical music and also play the mandolin and keyboard. I like go-karting and bowling. Basically, I do everything that sounds like fun.

Describe your perfect dream holiday...
Any place where there is no mobile reception (Laughs).