Govind Padmasurya on winning Telugu hearts, sharing screen with Tollywood stars

GP aka Govind Padmasurya is feeling euphoric! He had the honour of sharing screen space with Nagarjuna and Naga Chaithanya in the Telugu film, ‘Bangarraju’ which is currently running successfully in theatres. It was released as a Sankranti release worldwide on January 14th. This is Naga Chaithanya’s first release this year after the superhit film ‘Love Story', directed by Sekhar Kammula co-starring Sai Pallavi, which was released last year. GP who made his debut in Allu Arjun’s ‘Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’ in 2020 is a busy actor in Telugu cinema today. GP talks to Manorama online about working with Telugu Superstars and ‘Bangarraju’.

Nagarjuna’s character is called Bangarraju. Naga Chaithanya plays the role of his grandson and is called Chinna Bangarraju. I play his best friend in the film. Lakshmi played by Krithi Shetty, Chinna Bangarraju and I are cousins and childhood friends. I have the task of resolving fights between Chinna Bangarraju and Lakshmi. In fact, the opening scene itself shows them fighting and how they call me to resolve their fight. I have a very important role. This is the second part of a Nagarjuna blockbuster that was also released during a Sankranti day.

Allu Arjun’s ‘Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’ was my first Telugu film and I had got a lot of offers from Telugu since then. ‘Bangarraju’ was a story I really liked. Since this was a sequel to Nagarjuna’s 2016 superhit film ‘Soggade Chinni Nayana’ and also that it was produced by Nagarjuna’s Production house, I decided to do the film. A famous Telugu star was supposed to do the film initially but due to certain reasons, he was unable to do this film. This festive release has been declared a blockbuster.

I already knew Nagarjuna sir, but now I am also friends with Naga Chaithanya and Krithi too. They have a special consideration for Malayalees. Naga Chaithanya told me that ever since lockdown he had watched almost all the Malayalam films that came on OTT, starting with ‘Kumbalangi Nights’. And then of course I am also promoting Malayalam films as much as I can. I showed them the trailer of ‘Jaaneman’ and ‘Minnal Murali’. After watching ‘Minnal Murali’, actor Sampath expressed a desire to speak to director Basil Joseph and I connected him to Basil.

Since ‘Bangarraju’ was the only film released during Sankranti it was well received.  Through this film, I met several actors like Sampath, Ramya Krishnan, and Rao Ramesh and managed to develop a rapport with them.  I was able to learn a lot as an actor and also sharpen my acting skills. Right now, it has come to a point where I can understand Telugu. I write my dialogues in English and by heart them.

During the film’s prerelease event my speech was in Telugu. When a veteran actor like Rao Ramesh tells you that your Telugu and acting are getting better, it’s a great honour. I think the Telugu audience has started recognising me now.  When I went to Rajahmundry, so many people came and called me by my screen name, Aadikaru, and took selfies. I feel blessed to have acted in a Telugu film and get recognized by my character’s name.  When I went to Andhra Pradesh, people came and spoke to me. Though I love to act in various languages, I am happiest when I am acting in a Malayalam film. I am waiting for a good role in Malayalam. We should market Malayalam films outside and market other language films in Kerala. In future, I am hoping that films in all languages will be welcomed with open arms.  Fingers crossed for that, GP.