'Why can't I get an Oscar too?'

Actor Sarath Kumar talks about Pazhassi Raja atthe drop of a hat. But he���������s justified in doing so. After all, the film hascatapulted him to stardom in Mollywood. ���������I owe it all to director Hariharan and scriptwriter M T Vasudevan Nair. I���������ve received many special jury awards and Best Actor awards for the film in Kerala. It has opened a window of opportunities for me. In fact, people in Kerala call me Edachena Kunkan!��������� says Sarath. In fact, the actor has signed up twomore films in Mollywood after the success of Pazhassi Raja. ���������I���������vestarted shooting for Joshi���������s Christian Brothers with Mohanlal, Suresh Gopiand Dileep. I���������m also doing a guest role in Oridathoru Postman withKunchacko Boban. I play a wildlife photojournalist in the film. I���������m alsoin talks with a director to do a film that���������s based on Kathakali,��������� hesays. The actor will also be doing Sarathi in Kannada, which has Darshan in thelead. Ask Sarath if he is content as an actor, now that he���������sdone films in all south Indian languages and the star replies, ���������When Istarted my career, I���������d said that my dream was to win an Oscar. People usedto laugh at me then. Now, look at A R Rahman and Resul... They have proved thatthe world is a small place and cinema can transcend barriers. So, whycan���������t I get an Oscar too? And I���������m working hard to reach my goal. Infact, I���������ll be doing a film in Bollywood by the end of July. I can���������treveal anything about the project except that I will be working with two of themost sought after filmmakers from the south!��������� But, thisdoesn���������t mean Kollywood has taken a backseat for him. ���������I���������mcurrently shooting for Vidiyal, directed by K R Selvaraj. The film has Sneha andSruthi in the lead apart from me and has music by Dhina,��������� he says.The film, the story of which features events taking place in the years1946, 1976 and 2010, is about a guy who takes part in the fight forindependence. ���������He also has the responsibility of saving his wife fromgrave danger. I play the role of both the father and the son,��������� saysSarath, ���������I���������ll be filming a song, Adhimadurai Elai...., (sung byChinmayi and Vijay Yesudas), in Madurai tomorrow.��������� In fact, Vidiyal isbeing co-produced by Sarath���������s production company which has just beenlaunched. ���������My company will produce films within a budget of Rs three croreand also launch several artistes,��������� he says. So, will he be launching his daughter Varalaxmi under his banner? ���������I might,��������� he smiles, ���������As a father, I have given her the nod to act in films. In fact, when she finished her acting course in Anupam Kher���������s school, he personally told me she���������s got an amazing future as an actress. When she signed Poda Podi opposite Simbu, I was very happy for her but the film didn���������t take off. And now, she���������s getting a lot of offers. But she wants her first film to be the best one. So, she���������s taking her own time.���������Follow us on Twitter for more stories