The recent successes of Telugu filmsSankranthiki Vasthunam and Thandel signal a shift in audience preferences towards feel-good comedies and romantic dramas, a welcome change after an overdose of action films. Riding this wave is Mazaka, directed by Trinadha Rao Nakkina, which releases on February 26, coinciding with the Maha Shivaratri holiday. Lead actor Sundeep Kishan describes it as “a popcorn entertainer for family audiences.”
Marking his 30th film, Sundeep reflects on the industry’s evolving landscape. “I’m glad audiences are embracing comedies and romances again. When I signed Mazaka over a year ago, this wasn’t the case. I trusted my intuition because I loved the story.”
Throughout his 16-year career, Sundeep says he has consciously avoided following trends. “When everyone is doing action films, I might choose a comedy. That has helped me carve my own space. For instance, when we (director Vi Anand and I) were working on Ooru Peru Bhairavakona, the horror-drama genre wasn’t widely explored. Then Virupaksha released before us and became a massive hit. Still, our film ran for four weeks in theatres, and I noticed strong appreciation, particularly from women. That made me realise I hadn’t done a family entertainer in a while.”
Lighthearted entertainer
Mazaka marks a refreshing change for Sundeep Kishan after the intense action of Michael in Telugu and Captain Miller and Raayan in Tamil. “It was nice to step onto a set without being covered in dust and blood,” he laughs. “I enjoyed being part of an entertaining story that doesn’t rely on visual spectacle.”
This film is his first collaboration with director Trinadha Rao Nakkina, as well as actors Ritu Varma and Anshu. However, Mazaka is not just about romance — it also explores a father-son dynamic, with Rao Ramesh playing a man in his 50s who finds love again. “If this scenario — where a man decides to remarry after being alone for 20 years — unfolded in an aristocratic setting, it might not seem unusual. But in a lower middle-class household, does the equation change?” Sundeep explains. “When Prasanna (writer Prasanna Kumar Bezawada) narrated the story, I was hooked by the fun way he tackled this situation. He enacts every character when narrating, and I could tell this would be a film with great entertainment value. I’m confident it will be a sure-shot success.”
Emphasising the film’s family-friendly appeal, Sundeep promises “clean humour” that everyone can enjoy. One of the highlights of Mazaka is his on-screen rapport with veteran actor Rao Ramesh. “We didn’t rehearse much, but oddly, we were in perfect sync. He has incredible comic timing, and we just clicked,” he says.
Sundeep Kishan
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The gratifying 2024
Mazaka marks Sundeep Kishan’s first release of 2025, following a successful 2024 where his performance in Dhanush’s Raayan earned him widespread appreciation. “Last year was immensely gratifying with both Raayan and Ooru Peru Bhairavakona,” he reflects. “For most of my career, I haven’t received much consistent recognition, but I’ve never complained,” he admits, pausing to reflect. “Appreciation came in phases — after Prasthanam, Maanagaram (Tamil), and Venkatadri Express — but it was never steady. I always believed my efforts would pay off one day. The response to Raayan was overwhelming; it brought me a lot of peace.”
However, Sundeep remains unaffected by success or failure. “I didn’t enter the industry just for money or fame. If I enjoy a comfortable life today, it’s because audiences have stood by me. The day I feel I’ve made my best film, I might just say thank you and walk away. For me, it’s always been about the journey, and I want to give back in my own way.”
This phase of his career has made him introspective. “We work in an industry without a rulebook — there’s no guarantee that talent alone earns you respect. It’s the audience that ultimately validates our efforts.”
Cinema has dictated his life since his early days as an assistant director, before he became an actor-producer. “I’ve missed 90% of my cousins’ and friends’ weddings because of work. I act out of my love for cinema, not just to make a living,” he says.
Rendezvous with Rajinikanth
There have been rumours about Sundeep being a part of director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, starring Rajinikanth and Nagarjuna. “Not at all,” he laughs. “When Lokesh told me that Rajini sir wanted to meet me, I thought he was joking. When I finally met Rajini sir, I was genuinely touched by his appreciation for my work in Maanagaram and Raayan. After our meeting, when photos surfaced, speculation began, and I didn’t deny the buzz,” he adds with a laugh. “Lokesh is my best friend, and I have never asked him to cast me in any of his big films. Our friendship is not tied to work.”
Up next, Sundeep is part of Jason Sanjay’s (Tamil superstar Vijay’s son) directorial debut, a Telugu-Tamil bilingual. “It has been a while since I worked with a director who is this meticulously prepared. Jason Sanjay is incredibly hardworking — he has planned every shot division down to the last detail.”
He is also shooting for Supper Subbu, a Telugu web series produced by Netflix and directed by Mallik Ram. “This is an incredibly funny series with a meaningful underlying message. I liked how Mallik is striking a fine balance between telling a rooted story while catering to an international streaming platform. This is Netflix’s first South Indian web series, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Published – February 22, 2025 09:45 am IST
