'10th Class Diaries', directed by 'Garuda Vega' Anji, stars Sriram aka Srikanth and Avika Gor in lead roles. Also featuring several others, the nostalgic rom-com hits the cinemas on June 24.
In this interview, actor Sriram talks about the film at length. He also throws light on his upcoming projects.
I have known debutant director Anji for many years. He has been a cinematographer before. He was supposed to do a Tamil project with me. But since I couldn't allot dates. Back then, I asked Anji to offer me his first project as a director. It was producer Achut Rama Rao who narrated the story to me in Hyderabad because it is he who had written the story. He was inspired by true incidents he came across in writing the story. There is also fiction in it.
In our lives, school days are memorable. The characters in '10th Class Diaries' are relatable in multiple ways. The element of reunion has been narrated sensibly in the film. Anybody can be a villain in someone's life. Even if we are perfect in the life of someone, we might be a villain in another person's life. We commit mistakes without our knowledge, at times. Our film touches upon one such blunder by someone and the consequences thereof.
The narration is quite realistic. Entertainment and emotional narration are in good measure. Since the characters are true to real life, it was easy. One of the old friends becomes an Aghora and joins the reunion party!
I studied at the Bhavans School in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. When we planned a reunion of our batch, out of 100, only 8 turned up. On another occasion, a reunion was planned but I couldn't attend it because of my shooting schedule. Reunions don't always become a hit. They can flop as well!
Avika Gor has played a girl named Chandini. My search for her is what the film is about. Our chemistry is going to be a highlight.
'10th Class Diaries' has no similarities with '96'. Some flashback episodes might bear a few resemblances. There was 'Naa Autograph' before '96'. Then there was 'Premam'. But all those films were very different from each other.
Anji is a cinematographer-turned-director. So, he has a strong grip on visuals and songs. Rasool Ellore and KV Anand, both cinematographers-turned-directors, worked with me. When the latter turned a director, he had to forgo an opportunity from Shankar. A few other cinematographers did approach me when they wanted to turn directors. But I had to reject them because the stories were not to my satisfaction.
Directors have to make films that can be watched by audiences of all age groups. Comedy, emotions and other ingredients have to be taken care of by the script.
'10th Class Diaries' is rich in all ingredients, from action to comedy and romance. That's why I would call it the perfect package. After 'Okariki Okaru', this is the first time I am this satisfied with the output of my film. I have also been a supporting artist. Shooting for '10th Class Diaries' was like going on a tour. The production values are rich, with the film having been shot in places like Colombo and Miami.
I am playing an important role in 'Ravanasura', starring Ravi Teja and directed by Sudheer Varma. I want to do more and more Telugu movies, provided something exciting comes my way. I am doing six Tamil movies. I will soon be seen in 'Recce', the ZEE5 web series slated to stream from June 17.
