It’s been a wild journey; lessons learned and more to grasp: Sriimurali

Sandalwood’s Roaring Star Sriimurali’s career spanning just over two decades can rightfully be described as one tumultuous ride. As a newbie from an illustrious film family, Sriimurali’s debut Chandra Chakori, in 2003, was a runaway hit that ran for two years. He followed it up with an award-winning performance in Kanti. Then came a couple of years during which nothing he did created the same magic on screen, bringing with it disappointments and self-doubt. Until his 2014 film – Ugramm. “There is no bigger teacher than failure. I learnt this the hard way,” reflects Sriimurali, speaking as a guest on Bangalore Times Spotlight.

After hits like Chandra Chakori and Kanti, was Ugramm the next turning point?
My debut Chandra Chakori was a blockbuster that ran for two years. That’s a great beginning for any actor. It was God’s grace and the love of my people that got me on to such a fabulous start. Then came Kanti, which even won me a State Award. Of the films since then, a couple really stand out. Minchina Oota is super special because it was my first time working with my brother, Vijay Raghavendra. I also did a film called Preetigagi, directed by S Mahendra sir, which is honestly one of the best love stories I’ve ever done. It was followed by a tough period. I was pretty lost. Friends and well-wishers urged me to reassess my career. I took their advice, recognising I’d veered off track and needed to reorganise. By 2008 or 2009, we had begun discussions on Ugramm. Though I had to commit five years to it, I also signed other films. Though these films didn’t fare well, I have no regrets. I genuinely believed in the people I worked with, sharing my challenges and completing each project with passion. While things didn’t unfold as planned, I can’t blame anyone — after all, I was the hero of those ventures. It’s been a wild journey, full of lessons learned but there is much more to grasp, still. My path is different now; I’m focused on correcting my mistakes and staying on the right track.

Would you say Ugramm reinvented Sriimurali?
Yes. In a big, big way.

Then came your superhero project Bagheera. Why did it take so long to get that one out?
I was prepared for that project in just 3-4 months. After rigorous training under my trainer Bharat, I was all set. A couple of unforeseen incidents in my family threw us completely off track (referring to the passing of both his cousin, Puneeth Rajkumar and his co-sister, Spandana Vijay Raghavendra). Navigating those profound losses required time; it takes time to heal your mind and then return to work. Shooting Bagheera brought many challenges, including a significant toll on my physical health. I sustained two back and two leg injuries, which were entirely unexpected.

Given the personal issues your family has navigated in recent years, how did you find a sense of calm amidst it all?
I think it’s about acceptance. You have to accept the realities, that what is happening is the truth. But, that’s far easier said than done. When you’ve shared such a strong bond with people, it’s incredibly difficult to ask yourself painful questions about why it had to happen. With such incidents, especially concerning those close to me, I truly need time to process. Fortunately, my family was strong enough to support me. They were always around, and they understood me.

You come from a strong film family. What kind of expectations does that involve? Is there a lot of pressure?
You know, I don’t think I ever had a day without pressure.

How sad is that!
But, who doesn’t have tension? Who doesn’t have pressure? Who doesn’t feel nervous? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. However, I’ve never felt that pressure from my family. They’ve only ever advised me to be good, do good, and stay on the right path. Personally, I thrive on that pressure. I need it.

Speaking of family, would you say your kids are your critics now?
I think so. My son is quite calm and reserved; he’s considerate of my feelings before speaking. My daughter, however, is completely different. She’s incredibly straightforward. If she has something to say, she will say it to my face. I just have to accept it — whether it’s good or not. They keep me on my toes. Even my wife, to that extent. She’s strict. She’s very straightforward. She’s been my strongest critic.

Which of your films have they enjoyed most?
I think my son likes Ugramm, Rathavara, Mufti and Bagheera. My daughter… I don’t even know which film she likes. She’s in a new generation. She hates me touching my heroines. She hates me hugging them. My daughter was just a couple of years old when we watched my film Mufti. There is a scene where the heroine, Shanvi (Srivastava) hugs me. My daughter, who was sitting on my lap at that time, just turned around and slapped me for getting close to the heroine. I tried to convince her that this is my job, but that was just not possible.

Can you recall the high you experienced with your first film?
Can I be honest? I had no clue what success meant at that time. Chandra Chakori was special, no doubt. It is because of that film in 2003, that I am still here in 2025. It got me recognition, awards, adulation, etc. But I did not understand success until I delivered some flops. There’s no bigger teacher than failure. It will teach you everything.

What was it like to taste success after a decade, with Ugramm?
Ugramm gave me a different kind of kick, breaking a long dry spell and rekindling hope. That film was immensely rewarding, not just for me but for everyone involved, and that’s something we should value. After Ugramm, many films followed, and I never looked back. Bagheera in 2024 brought a new high, allowing me to experiment with a different genre. I’m satisfied now, but I haven’t forgotten my future goals.



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