I wanted to be known as a south actor who was loved in Hindi: Sundeep Kishan

Time of India

28-04-2025

These 15 years have been unique and adventurous. If I were to do a case study of my career, I would say it was risky but unique. When I started out, even finding where an audition was happening was difficult.
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There were no Instagram or Reels back then. Thinking that I have pulled it off from that day to now makes me thankful,' says
, who made his acting debut in 2010, playing the antagonist in the Telugu film Prasthanam. As he completes 15 years in cinema, the actor talks to us about his journey so far and what lies ahead for him.
'WHAT I'M TRYING TO LEAVE BEHIND WITH MY FILMS IS A GREAT MEMORY'
Stressing he hasn't ever seen cinema as just work in these 15 years, Sundeep delves into what's ahead for him.
'I'm the kind of actor who might retire a decade later, have a nice restaurant somewhere in the world and go for a swim on the beach every day. Well, retirement might be a strong word, but I know that work is not always life.
Sundeep adds, Whatever I have gotten today is the bonus of doing what I love. So, what I'm trying to leave behind, as far as my films are concerned, is a great memory. Even on my worst days, I never did a film because I had to run my kitchen.
I was too ambitious as a kid. I wanted to be an actor who was loved in Telugu and Tamil and be known as a South actor who was loved in Hindi. 'Today, it's what has become my identity. I was always careful to be the actor that the kid version of me would like or want to be. I think I'm satisfied with myself in that aspect. However, now I feel I need to have a bigger ambition and work towards pulling that off.'
'I THOUGHT I HAD TO FIRST DISCOVER MYSELF AS AN ACTOR, SO I WENT BACK TO TELUGU'
Sundeep, who hasn't been part of a Bollywood film since Shor In The City (2011), states, 'Initially, I signed a very big film in Hindi, but eventually, another actor was cast in that role.
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I signed another interesting Hindi film, which was supposed to have Manoj Bajpayee and me, but there were last-minute changes, and someone else came in. I was 21 or 22 at the time, and it was a lot for me to take. That's when I thought that I had to first discover myself as an actor, and I went back to Telugu.'
He adds that he has been sincere towards the process and states, 'I do not enjoy working out, but I do it because my job needs me to do that.
If my director wants me to go shirtless and look a specific way, I have to do it. Tomorrow, if I have to put on weight for a role, I will. I've gone without eating anything other than egg whites for around 18 days for Michael. Even recently, for The Family Man Season 3, I went only on egg whites, avocados, and black coffee for a good 9-11 days. I enjoy being that guy who does all this.'
'I'M BLESSED THAT PEOPLE LIKE RAJ & DK CONSTANTLY SHOW FAITH IN MY WORK ETHIC'
Talking about being part of the third season of The Family Man, Sundeep says, 'I have been working with Raj and DK for about 15 years, so collaborating with them feels like coming back home.
I'm blessed that people like them constantly show faith in my work ethic. I got to hang out with Manoj (Bajpayee) after ages. We have always had a beautiful bond; we call each other every once in a while.' Meanwhile, the actor is currently headlining Vijay's son, Jason Sanjay's debut directorial and a series, titled Super Subbu. 'Sanjay's film will be a new-age action-entertainer with a new film language. We are already on our second schedule.
Sanjay is a hardworking guy who is always clear about what he wants. Meanwhile, Super Subbu is about a professor who goes to a small village in Makhipur and teaches sex education,' he says.
'A FILM'S FAILURE IS LIKE A BREAKUP, BUT YOU HAVE TO MAN UP AND DEAL WITH IT'
Sundeep tells us that there have been multiple instances where he felt 'terrible' when his films got trolled. 'I make films for them to be liked. So, it bothers me when I work hard for two years to win people's love, and they end up trolling my films.
I feel I have let the audience down. A film's failure is like a breakup. You will be a little irritable or erratic after a failure, but I'm a grownup man, and I have to man up and deal with it. I push myself 10 times harder after a film that didn't work.'
'Marriage is a lifechanging decision; it's important who you make it with'
Sundeep tells us he is 'absolutely single' right now and shares, 'For me, marriage is a step into an entirely new life.
It's a life-changing decision, so it's important who you make it with. I have been in love before, but unfortunately, it didn't work out. Would I like to get married? Sure. But, after a point in life, you are cautious of the decisions you make due to the experiences you have had.'