<p>Actor Sumanth Shailendra has completed shooting for his next film ‘Lee’. His roles, he says, are as interesting as the title of the film. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The project traces the life of a young man who plays three different kinds of characters — a mentally disturbed person, a lover boy and a martial arts trainer. And Sumanth says he enjoyed juggling all three and sporting different looks. In an interview with Nina C George, Sumanth talks about how the project gave him the chance to explore the actor in him. <br /><br />What drew you to the script? <br /><br />It is not just enough to tell a story. It is important to tell a story with a definite message. Every character in ‘Lee’ has something substantial to contribute. It captures images that we see and experience around us everyday. <br /><br />You have worked to look very different in all the three roles. Tell us about it. <br /><br />In one character, I play a mentally challenged person, for which I had to grow my hair to look every inch like a man who is mentally unstable. The script required that I beg on the streets, sleep amidst dogs and search for food in garbage heaps. I had to do all of this. For the second character, where I play a martial arts trainer, I again sport long hair and went through rigorous training in learning how to handle all kinds of weapons, fight using my hands and legs and even climb high walls. The last one is that of a lover boy. <br /><br />How was the experience? <br /><br />Brilliant. I can’t think of a better word to describe it. I enjoyed the challenge because it gave me a chance to explore different emotions as every role required that I emote in a different way. <br /><br />Tell us about the preparation for each role. <br /><br />I had to train in a Chinese martial artform called ‘Wushu’ from 4 am everyday for two weeks, before I could say I was ready for the character. There was also a great deal of strength training involved. I had to shed a few kilos for my last look. In an effort to understand and study the character of a mentally disturbed person, I visited the special cell at NIMHANS and spent time just observing the people there. This gave me a fair idea about how to emote for the character. <br /><br />We hear you have offers to act in Telugu films... <br /><br />I got a couple of offers but I don’t think I am ready to act in Telugu films yet. However, I will soon be producing a Telugu film which features Allu Arjun’s brother. I hope to work in them someday.<br /><br />Are you planning to go on a holiday after working so hard? <br /><br />Yes, I am mixing work and vacation. I will be leaving for London in two weeks to undergo a special training in building my physique. I have also signed up for a couple of sessions in grooming and hope to go for a complete detox programme. <br /></p>
<p>Actor Sumanth Shailendra has completed shooting for his next film ‘Lee’. His roles, he says, are as interesting as the title of the film. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The project traces the life of a young man who plays three different kinds of characters — a mentally disturbed person, a lover boy and a martial arts trainer. And Sumanth says he enjoyed juggling all three and sporting different looks. In an interview with Nina C George, Sumanth talks about how the project gave him the chance to explore the actor in him. <br /><br />What drew you to the script? <br /><br />It is not just enough to tell a story. It is important to tell a story with a definite message. Every character in ‘Lee’ has something substantial to contribute. It captures images that we see and experience around us everyday. <br /><br />You have worked to look very different in all the three roles. Tell us about it. <br /><br />In one character, I play a mentally challenged person, for which I had to grow my hair to look every inch like a man who is mentally unstable. The script required that I beg on the streets, sleep amidst dogs and search for food in garbage heaps. I had to do all of this. For the second character, where I play a martial arts trainer, I again sport long hair and went through rigorous training in learning how to handle all kinds of weapons, fight using my hands and legs and even climb high walls. The last one is that of a lover boy. <br /><br />How was the experience? <br /><br />Brilliant. I can’t think of a better word to describe it. I enjoyed the challenge because it gave me a chance to explore different emotions as every role required that I emote in a different way. <br /><br />Tell us about the preparation for each role. <br /><br />I had to train in a Chinese martial artform called ‘Wushu’ from 4 am everyday for two weeks, before I could say I was ready for the character. There was also a great deal of strength training involved. I had to shed a few kilos for my last look. In an effort to understand and study the character of a mentally disturbed person, I visited the special cell at NIMHANS and spent time just observing the people there. This gave me a fair idea about how to emote for the character. <br /><br />We hear you have offers to act in Telugu films... <br /><br />I got a couple of offers but I don’t think I am ready to act in Telugu films yet. However, I will soon be producing a Telugu film which features Allu Arjun’s brother. I hope to work in them someday.<br /><br />Are you planning to go on a holiday after working so hard? <br /><br />Yes, I am mixing work and vacation. I will be leaving for London in two weeks to undergo a special training in building my physique. I have also signed up for a couple of sessions in grooming and hope to go for a complete detox programme. <br /></p>