Whatever roles I have got to play, I have been grateful for them, says actor Appaji Ambarisha Darbha

Appaji Ambarisha Darbha is one of the most talented character artists that the Tollywood has produced in years. Born on March 1, 1965, in Samalkota, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, he comes from a non-filmy background. His father Drbha Ramsha and mother Sirisha were editor and publishers for the popular magazine Abhisarika. Apart from acting, Appaji develops unique Telugu fonts, and he is the man behind Ponnala, Raviprakash, Lakireddy, Chatura, Peddana, Thimmana, Ramaraja, Tenaliramakrishna, Tana font, among others. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, he talks about his journey to upcoming films. Here’s our interview with the most generous Appaji Ambarisha Darbha.

Edited excerpts from an interview over the phone with Appaji Ambarisha Darbha…

I discovered it as many of us do. Doing plays, dramas and mono acts in college and then getting serious about it when I get prizes for my performances. By the time I finished my graduation in BA Telugu literature, I got married. I was 20. My wife, Sudha Rani, was still studying. I quit the idea of taking up acting as my profession due to family responsibilities. After doing the business over three decades in printing and advertising, I took up the life of a creative designer in a popular nationwide agency in Hyderabad. Then I got an opportunity to work in a commercial advertisement by the last-minute adjustment.

There was a gap of three years after working in the advertisement. Then again, I started getting offers in commercial ads, short films and eventually in movies. Apparao Gari Abbayi, Aa Nishi Lo, Apparao Gari Pichi, Krishnamurthi Gar Intlo and Arcotia which came up with heartwarming stories, showing the power of writing, were my best short films. These short films have struck a chord with people on social media and have been shared extensively. My first film was Tathagatha Gowthama Buddha, directed by Allani Sridhar, and I played a saint in the movie.

I have appeared in 28 commercials, 32 shorts films and 73 feature films so far. Initially, I was approached for very small, supporting roles. However, I never rejected any opportunity, whether it was small or big. I love doing my work. As an actor, I am happy with my career but not satisfied. There are miles and miles to go. I like comedy, but I didn’t play a comedic character so far. So, I want to play different types of charters in films. I want to work with A-list actors and filmmakers.

Till today, whatever roles I have got to play, I have been grateful for them. I have been creatively satisfied; be it Pooja Hegde’s father in Gaddalakonda Ganesh or Aakanksha Singh’s father in Malli Raava and Anju Kurian’s father in Idam Jagath. I have played some intense characters, and I wish to keep the audience hooked on to whatever I play.

My favourite actors are Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishna Ghattamaneni and Sobhan babu. They are my all-time favourite actors. When it comes to comedy, I like Rajendra Prasad. He is the only one who has made me feel awe. In his each and every movie, he has left behind a huge mark on everybody. Be it Mister Pellam or Pelli Pusthakam, each one of his film left a mark on every person’s mind. And SV Ranga Rao and CSR (Chilakalapudi Seeta Rama Anjaneyulu) have been seriously influential to me. I often imitate CSR. And Relangi, Ramana Reddy, Gummadi and Rao Gopal Rao had done a variety of movies of different styles and took on a lot of roles, which all have been great.

Mega Star Chiranjeevi is my biggest inspiration. Working with him is a dream comes true for me. Renowned for his unique, amazing characters, he lives up to the challenge to always own the role he plays. He puts his love into his understanding craft. Every single time I watch his film, he completely inspires me as an actor. I supposed to get a role in Acharya, but it didn’t work out.

I love movies of all genres, and it is difficult as to pinpoint my best, but these movies really were just the best for me. Vamsy’s Anweshana and Sitara, KS Viswanath’s Shankarabharanam, Sapthapadi, Sagara Sangam and the list goes on. I will appear in T Nagendar’s Vital Vadi, Chinni Krishna's Akshara, Kadhal, Mad, Yash starrer KGF Chapter 2, Akkineni Nagarjuna starrer Wild Dog.