Unpredictability is the biggest reward of being an actor: Sundeep Kishan

Nearly two decades into his career, Sundeep Kishan still approaches cinema with the wide-eyed curiosity of a newcomer. A piece of advice from a peer has anchored him throughout: “Take your job very seriously.

Don’t take yourself seriously.

” It is a philosophy he lives by today. “I take my responsibility to the audience seriously, but beyond that, I just want to enjoy the craft,” he says. That sense of joy drives his process, whether he’s handpicking scripts that challenge him, mastering new skills for a role, or diving into the vision of an emerging filmmakers. In a heart-to-heart with Hyderabad Times, Sundeep opens up about working with debut director Jason Sanjay — son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay — the art of balancing his career across Telugu and Tamil industries, and what lies ahead.‘I still want the younger version of me to think I’m exciting’Ask Sundeep what guides his choices today and the answer has little to do with box-office calculations. “I consciously ask myself if the younger version of me would find this exciting,” he says. That thought process has shaped many of his recent films. “I chose A1 Express because I wanted to do a sports drama, Bhairava Kona because I was looking for a supernatural adventure and Michael because it reminded me of the dark action romances I loved growing up,” he shares, adding, “After all these years, I’m still as excited about cinema as I was when I started.

That’s a blessing and I want to protect it.”

‘Jason knows exactly what he wants’Talking about his upcoming film Sigma, which marks Jason Sanjay’s directorial debut, Sundeep admits he was initially surprised that Jason wanted to direct and narrate the script himself. “He flew down to Hyderabad and gave me a three-hour forty-five-minute narration,” Sundeep recalls. “When someone narrates for that long and keeps you engaged, you know they’ve done their homework.”

What impressed him most was Jason’s preparation and clarity.

“At times I wondered if I’d be this prepared if I ever directed a film,” he says. “He knows exactly what he wants, but he’s also willing to listen and collaborate.” Many know Jason as actor Vijay’s son, and today he also carries the public visibility that comes with being the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay. Yet, Sundeep insists that fame has had little impact on him.

“He’s become even more shy and awkward,” he laughs. “He’s one of the most grounded people I’ve met. He could have easily chosen the actor route because that would’ve been the easier path, but he genuinely loves filmmaking.”

‘I’m also excited about Power Peta, which I’m shooting right now’While Sigma remains one of his most anticipated projects, Sundeep is equally excited about what lies ahead. Power Peta, a Telugu action–drama film, directed by Krishna Chaitanya, which he says is around 30 per cent complete.

“Every day on that set feels special. I go there like a child,” he says. “Krishna Chaitanya has written something very ambitious and unique. It’s one of those films where every day you discover something new about the world you’re creating.

” Sundeep is also looking forward to Super Subbu, his upcoming series, which marks his entry into long-format storytelling.‘Producing excites me as much as acting’Beyond acting, Sundeep is now looking forward to returning to production after a brief break.

Having previously produced and acted in Ninu Veedani Needanu Nene and A1 Express, he says filmmaking from behind the scenes has always been equally fulfilling. “Producing has always excited me because it allows me to back stories and talent that I genuinely believe in,” he says.

‘Every film teaches me something I’ve never done before’That curiosity doesn’t end with the stories Sundeep chooses — it extends to everything the profession demands of him. For the actor, one of the greatest joys of cinema is that every project pushes him to step outside his comfort zone and learn something he never imagined he would.

Speaking about the fantasy-adventure film he is doing with Shambhala director Ugandhar Muni, Sundeep says the project has taken him into unfamiliar territory.

“I have to learn how to properly use a sword and bow and arrow. I’ve never had to sit down with dialogue papers before, but now even the Telugu is so different that I’m preparing for it in advance,” he says. He also recalls hanging nearly 200 feet above the ground while shooting a sequence for his upcoming film Sigma, releasing next month. “It was another experience I never imagined this profession would lead me to,” he says.-Sanjana Pulugurtha