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Actor Ajay Exclusive: I Don't Hesitate To Ask For Work!
By: Tupaki Desk | 29 April 2020 12:58 PM GMT
Hi Ajay garu! How are you?
I am good but it took me some time to adjust to this unexpected gap. Everything is fine now.
Are you talking about your work?
Yes, starting from 'Khushi' to the recent 'Bheeshma', I've worked in 200 films approximately in a career spanning of around 20 years. I have been so busy with the shooting all these years. Despite spending time with my family, I used to have a feeling of dissatisfaction. But this quarantine period provided me with some quality time to spend with my family. I am enjoying a lot with my kids.
You might have seen a lot of ups and downs in your 20 years of career. The roles you are doing now is different from what you did initially. Why is it?
The generation who were young when I did characters in films like 'Khushi' and 'Vikramarkudu' grew up and so did my roles. The current generation may not know who Ajay is. So, I have to work with younger directors. During this process, we need to accept small roles but I only accept such roles that have some significance to the story. Take my character in 'Bheeshma' for example, it is very important to the story and it helps the hero's character. It worked out so well as it had some comedy touch to it. I believe that it is characters like these that take me nearer to the current generation audience.
It looks like the Corona crisis is going to have a huge effect on the industry. Your response?
This is a kind of situation that comes only once in centuries. Not just the film industry but its effect will be on everyone. Mostly, people may suffer from mental pressure and a lot of it will be about the future. Coming to films, we get the least priority. But a lot of people who work on a daily wage basis in the industry will be heavily affected. It is unfortunate that the film industry is given the least priority by the government. We tend to show sympathy and empathy towards daily workers in other fields but daily workers in the film industry also are facing the same problems. In my opinion, the government should give some importance so that the situation gets a bit better.
People who work busily everyday become very stressed when they have nothing to do suddenly. It happens for everyone. How are you overcoming this?
We got the chance to serve the nation just by sitting in our homes and staying with our families. This is a huge problem our mankind is facing and we will be having a future only if we can overcome this crisis. It is good to follow the instructions of the government during these times without thinking too much. We can adapt to everything quickly. Only humans and trees managed to grow vertically on earth. So, no virus can stop us and I have a strong feeling that we will be coming out of this crisis period within no time.
There is a talk that artists are egocentric. You might have worked with some and some might have thought that you are one. How do you face these situations?
There is a fine line between self-esteem and ego. By god's grace, I have worked with heroes from all three generations. I've acted with both seniors and people younger than me. I strongly believe that we need to be ourselves in this industry right from the beginning to the end. This may hurt some people and make some others happy. Unhindered by this, we need to be consistent and people working with us will behave accordingly. This is why I can state confidently that there is no remark on me till now.
Some say that OTT platforms will conquer the film industry. What is your opinion?
The percentage of people who watch OTT platforms has increased by 40 in the past two months. So, the creators need to think innovatively and focus on quality content. There will a lot of damage if the quality is compromised. But the percentage of people who go to theatres will not be reduced in my opinion because the experience of large-screen viewing cannot be replaced by anything. So, there will be no negative effect on theatres due to OTT platforms if you ask me.
It looks like 2020 is completely filled with Ajay's movies. Isn't it?
It is nothing like that. It is all because of the heroes, directors, and producers who are encouraging me by casting me in their films. There is a lot of healthy competition in the industry. Despite being in the shooting of ‘Ala Vaikunthapuramlo’, I have consulted Trivikram garu and adjusted the dates for 'Sarileru Neekevvaru'. The same happened with Anil Ravipudi too and worked on both the films. Makers cutting the artist's role because he is working on another film is just a false notion. We all live and work together in this industry.
'No characters come searching for you. You need to chase them.' What is your opinion on this statement?
If I like a character, I personally go to the director and ask him for that role. I asked Anil for that role in 'Sarileru Neekevvaru'. Some people hesitate to do that and feel shy to ask for chances but I never hesitate to do that because I feel that there is nothing work in asking for work. I signed for a couple of films and their shootings may start after the lockdown is lifted. I got a chance to work in Chiranjeevi sir's 153rd film and I am waiting for it eagerly.
Our Tupaki team hopes that you get good roles all the time and entertain the audience in the same way. We wish you all the success. Best of luck.
I am good but it took me some time to adjust to this unexpected gap. Everything is fine now.
Are you talking about your work?
Yes, starting from 'Khushi' to the recent 'Bheeshma', I've worked in 200 films approximately in a career spanning of around 20 years. I have been so busy with the shooting all these years. Despite spending time with my family, I used to have a feeling of dissatisfaction. But this quarantine period provided me with some quality time to spend with my family. I am enjoying a lot with my kids.
You might have seen a lot of ups and downs in your 20 years of career. The roles you are doing now is different from what you did initially. Why is it?
The generation who were young when I did characters in films like 'Khushi' and 'Vikramarkudu' grew up and so did my roles. The current generation may not know who Ajay is. So, I have to work with younger directors. During this process, we need to accept small roles but I only accept such roles that have some significance to the story. Take my character in 'Bheeshma' for example, it is very important to the story and it helps the hero's character. It worked out so well as it had some comedy touch to it. I believe that it is characters like these that take me nearer to the current generation audience.
It looks like the Corona crisis is going to have a huge effect on the industry. Your response?
This is a kind of situation that comes only once in centuries. Not just the film industry but its effect will be on everyone. Mostly, people may suffer from mental pressure and a lot of it will be about the future. Coming to films, we get the least priority. But a lot of people who work on a daily wage basis in the industry will be heavily affected. It is unfortunate that the film industry is given the least priority by the government. We tend to show sympathy and empathy towards daily workers in other fields but daily workers in the film industry also are facing the same problems. In my opinion, the government should give some importance so that the situation gets a bit better.
People who work busily everyday become very stressed when they have nothing to do suddenly. It happens for everyone. How are you overcoming this?
We got the chance to serve the nation just by sitting in our homes and staying with our families. This is a huge problem our mankind is facing and we will be having a future only if we can overcome this crisis. It is good to follow the instructions of the government during these times without thinking too much. We can adapt to everything quickly. Only humans and trees managed to grow vertically on earth. So, no virus can stop us and I have a strong feeling that we will be coming out of this crisis period within no time.
There is a talk that artists are egocentric. You might have worked with some and some might have thought that you are one. How do you face these situations?
There is a fine line between self-esteem and ego. By god's grace, I have worked with heroes from all three generations. I've acted with both seniors and people younger than me. I strongly believe that we need to be ourselves in this industry right from the beginning to the end. This may hurt some people and make some others happy. Unhindered by this, we need to be consistent and people working with us will behave accordingly. This is why I can state confidently that there is no remark on me till now.
Some say that OTT platforms will conquer the film industry. What is your opinion?
The percentage of people who watch OTT platforms has increased by 40 in the past two months. So, the creators need to think innovatively and focus on quality content. There will a lot of damage if the quality is compromised. But the percentage of people who go to theatres will not be reduced in my opinion because the experience of large-screen viewing cannot be replaced by anything. So, there will be no negative effect on theatres due to OTT platforms if you ask me.
It looks like 2020 is completely filled with Ajay's movies. Isn't it?
It is nothing like that. It is all because of the heroes, directors, and producers who are encouraging me by casting me in their films. There is a lot of healthy competition in the industry. Despite being in the shooting of ‘Ala Vaikunthapuramlo’, I have consulted Trivikram garu and adjusted the dates for 'Sarileru Neekevvaru'. The same happened with Anil Ravipudi too and worked on both the films. Makers cutting the artist's role because he is working on another film is just a false notion. We all live and work together in this industry.
'No characters come searching for you. You need to chase them.' What is your opinion on this statement?
If I like a character, I personally go to the director and ask him for that role. I asked Anil for that role in 'Sarileru Neekevvaru'. Some people hesitate to do that and feel shy to ask for chances but I never hesitate to do that because I feel that there is nothing work in asking for work. I signed for a couple of films and their shootings may start after the lockdown is lifted. I got a chance to work in Chiranjeevi sir's 153rd film and I am waiting for it eagerly.
Our Tupaki team hopes that you get good roles all the time and entertain the audience in the same way. We wish you all the success. Best of luck.
