Sudeep's got a busy year ahead

Numerous new beginnings marked actor-director Kichcha Sudeep’s birthday yesterday. Apart from the teaser launch of his KS Ravikumar directed bilingual, called Mudinja Ivana Pudi in Tamil, he has as many as four films in the pipeline. Speaking about what makes him sign films of late, Sudeep tells us, “There is no strategy as such. At that moment, if a story excites you, you are on.There are times when such decisions work, and there are times when the best of stories have been rejected. I believe in doing what I feel I must do. The choice depends on one’s mindset at that point of time.” And what has got him excited lately? “We start with Krishna’s (Kittappa) Hebbulli in October. I have never seen a director so enthusiastic about every scene. That sort of excitement is contagious. After that are three untitled films with three very talented directors – Prakash, Prem and Ram Gopal Varma. I have some interesting one-liners that were good enough for me to say yes immediately. There is Bigg Boss and the Karnataka Premier League that will take place in between. And eventually, I hope to find some time to direct as well,” explains Sudeep, who is producing the yet-to-be-titled Kannada remake of Jigarthanda, which is being directed by Shivan S Ganesh. About the growing number of fans that land up at his home every year to wish him, Sudeep says simply, “I feel it has more to do with how people connect with me, rather than just the films that I do.”
Here’s what some of the directors say about him Krishna: Sudeep treats everybody with respect, irrespective of what you do and what you are. I have known him for over 12 years, from when I was a nobody. The way he speaks to me is the same from back then till today.
Shivan S Ganesh: This is the first time I have worked with and under someone. And I can rightfully say that Sudeep is, and will always be, my guru. He will appear in a guest role in the Jigarthanda remake.
Prakash Jayaram: My next project is definitely with Sudeep — someone who I have been wanting to work with for a long time. We have two scripts as options, a thriller and a love story. Which one we will start work on will depend on the other line up of films as well.