Comedians fail as Heroes for this reason.The transition from comedian to hero in Tollywood has proven to be a challenging endeavor, as seen in the case of Viva Harsha, whose film ‘Sundaram Master’ failed to attract audiences to theaters. Director Teja observes that the trend of comedians turning heroes is facing hurdles, as even the general audience seems less inclined towards such films, given the abundance of comedy shows like ‘Jabardast’ on television and the increasing number of comedians vying for lead roles.
Despite this, comedian-turned-actor Suhas found success with ‘Colour Photo’ but couldn’t replicate the same success with ‘Ambajipeta Marriage Band’. He believes that success in these roles is not necessarily tied to playing underdog characters, emphasizing the importance of a strong script and relatable characters.
While the trend of comedians transitioning to lead roles is not new, the current crop of comedians appears eager to showcase their acting skills. Teja cites examples of legendary comedians like Nagesh, Brahmanandam, and Vadivelu who successfully made the leap to hero roles after establishing themselves as star comedians. However, with big stars also dabbling in comedy roles, the appeal of comedian-turned-heroes may be diminishing among audiences who prefer established stars.
Despite the challenges, comedians like Sunil, Srinivas Reddy, and Priyadarshi have managed to find success in lead roles, while others like Sudigali Sudheer have faced more setbacks than triumphs. Vennela Kishore is hopeful that his upcoming film 'Chari 111' will help him establish himself as a leading man.
Teja believes that every actor aspires to play a protagonist's role after playing supporting characters in star-studded films. However, the transition to solo hero films can be daunting, as comedians may not receive the same level of adulation without a big star to anchor the film. He emphasizes the importance of comedians solidifying their status as top-notch comedians before taking on larger roles, acknowledging that the comedy genre's popularity is currently on the decline.