Telugu actor roped in for SRK's next

He's been part of many successful films across Tamil and Telugu cinema, including Thadaiyara Thaakka,

Ivan Vera Mathiri

, Nagavalli, Attarintiki Daredi and S/O Sathyamurthy, among others. Now, Vamsi Krishna is set to enter the

Kannada

film industry with a plum role in

Shivarajkumar

's next, Leader. This film, helmed by Sahana Murthy of Rose fame, is expected to go on floors soon.

'I'd always wanted to do a Kannada film. When the makers of Leader approached me, I was intrigued and asked them to meet me. They came to Chennai and narrated the role. This is almost like the second lead in the film and I get to act alongside a star like Shivarajkumar. That was the clincher for me,' says Vamsi.

Incidentally, the actor was approached for Chakravyuha, for which director Saravanan had asked him to reprise the role he'd done in the original, Ivan Vera Mathiri. 'I was in the

United States

at the time on some work and the dates didn't work out. But I have no regrets, because my friend Arun Vijay was chosen and he's done a wonderful job. So, that way the role stayed between us friends,' he laughs. Vamsi is scheduled to begin shooting for the film around August.