Actor Suhas, in a mood of bubbling enthusiasm, shared in a recent interaction that his approach to life and career is anything but slow and steady. His latest venture, the Telugu flick ‘Ambajipeta Marriage Band’ directed by the fresh talent Dushyanth Katikaneni, is slated for a release on February 2, following the debut of his last film ‘Writer Padmabhushan’ in February of the previous year. Suhas clarified that the one-year hiatus between his films was a necessity, not a strategic move. A special segment of ‘Ambajipeta…’ required him to shave his head, necessitating a break to allow his hair to regrow for other roles. Additionally, post-production patchwork necessitated another shave.
Having carved a niche in supporting roles, Suhas has since grabbed the limelight as the hero. Despite the demands of fatherhood with a newborn son, he has been actively promoting his film across the Telugu states. The actor recounted the origin of ‘Ambajipeta…’ as a lockdown read, with approximately half of its narrative grounded in the director’s encounters in Godavari district. Elements from the director’s life mix with fiction and high drama. Suhas recalls scenes set in a salon and the film’s climax, which provoked an adrenaline rush and an eagerness to begin shooting.
Previously working alongside Dushyanth as secondary characters in ‘Dear Comrade’ and ‘Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya,’ Suhas has a history of collaborating with first-time directors who, like Dushyanth, were often acquaintances from his tenure with Chai Bisket’s YouTube channel. This connection has led to unabashed frankness during script sessions and mutual critiques of performances with an honesty reserved for close comrades.
His upcoming slate of projects remains populated by several industry debutants. Suhas, often interrogated for what some perceive as gambles, believes there is security in engaging with directors who bring uncompromising dedication to their inaugural films. He occasionally finds himself in the role of reassurer when these directors feel the weight of on-set pressures.
In ‘Ambajipeta…,’ Suhas and Sharanya portray twin siblings, entangled in drama that flirts with romance as Suhas’s character courts Shivani. He insists the film’s central conflict was deliberately omitted from its trailers and genuinely believes the movie will stand the test of time as a classic, attributing this conviction to the unparalleled commitment he gave during its production.
Suhas practiced intensively for his role, highlighting the meticulous prep with Shivani for a single scene—a process repeated over 50 times. To enhance authenticity, Suhas and his fellow actors learned how to portray band members convincingly, including mastering the dappu, a traditional percussion instrument.
Parallel to his professional immersion, Suhas has been fine-tuning his persona as a dependable actor, steering clear from high-fantasy parts in favor of more grounded, human roles reflective of semi-urban and rural experiences. He looks back with gratitude on the influential vanguard of short films which served as a springboard for his and others’ careers, notably crediting Viva Harsha for illuminating the platform’s potential.
Looking ahead, Suhas teases an enticing list of forthcoming titles such as ‘Prasannavadanam’ and ‘Cable Reddy,’ all of which will feature nascent directors. His convincing portrayal as a psychopath in ‘HIT 2’ garnered him offers to play antagonistic roles, which he declined for fear of typecasting. He judiciously selects projects that augment his career trajectory, planning perhaps to explore a wider range of characters—including villains—as his career matures.
Already in production are collaborations with the team behind ‘Balagam’ and other ventures that will continue to chart his path in the Telugu cinema landscape. As Suhas reflects on his journey—from the humble beginnings of YouTube shorts to a celebrated protagonist—his story stands as a testament to seizing opportunities and crafting a cinematic legacy with tenacity and vision.
