Vennela Kishore, the actor celebrated for his comic timing, initially deflects a request for an interview with the charming request for a rain check. Breaking through his usual reticence, Kishore is spearheading ‘Chaari 111’, a Telugu comedy espionage drama set to hit theaters on the first of March. His hesitant nature does not stem from a place of arrogance but is driven by a genuine reservation against self-promotion. “Bragging about a film is not my style,” Kishore comments. “The audience is the ultimate judge of our work.”
Currently enjoying an impressive 19-year tenure in cinema since his entrance with director Deva Katta’s ‘Vennela’, Vennela Kishore has rarely assumed the role of a leading man. “Once in a while, like in ‘Athadu Aame o Scooter’, I may have taken the lead, but it never felt right to me,” he admits. Despite this era’s shift toward more comedians playing protagonists, Kishore contentedly abstains, citing a simple yet fulfilling aspiration: “Good food, and the joys of being part of and watching good cinema.” Working alongside legends such as Brahmanandam and Sathya is where he finds his greatest bliss.
‘Chaari 111’ wasn’t an immediate ‘yes’ for Kishore when director TG Keerthi Kumar, after his debut with Sumanth in ‘Malli Modalaindi’, presented the concept. The proposition was compelling—a light-hearted take on the action espionage genre, with an amusing twist. Hesitant then, Kishore offered to play another role earmarked for Sathya, leading Keerthi Kumar to almost abandon the project. It was the director’s wife, and the film’s producer, Aditi, who eventually persuaded Kishore. Her pitch was irresistible.
A digital release was initially on the table, providing a relief from the demanding promotional schedules associated with theatrical releases. Vennela Kishore, already juggling a multitude of performances as a comedian, was sold on this idea. Nonetheless, when streaming platforms changed their approach, requiring films to seek theater audiences, the plan evolved.
Set amidst the covert operations of Rudranetra agency, lead by Murali Sharma’s character, ‘Chaari 111’ might sow the seeds for a cinematic spy universe. Kishore envisions cheeky crossovers, like Adivi Sesh’s stern roles mingling with his comedic escapades. Kishore’s past collaborations with Sesh in ‘Kshanam’ and ‘Goodachari’ saw him venture into villainous roles, but a return to that path isn’t forthcoming—he recalls how even his death scenes would inadvertently evoke laughter.
Within ‘Chaari 111’, the action is less about fistfights and more about slippery scenarios, where Kishore’s quirky spy character and his on-screen partner, played by Samyuktha Viswanathan, navigate trouble often with her saving the day. The film’s spirit nods to the likes of ‘Johnny English’ and ‘The Pink Panther’ series, celebrating the lighter side of the spy genre.
Professionally, it’s been half a dozen years of Kishore thriving in diverse comedic roles, from hits like ‘Sita Ramam’ and ‘Sarkaaru Vaari Paata’ to the recently acclaimed ‘Guntur Kaaram.’ His schedule is a relentless whirlwind—after 22 film appearances in 2022 and approximately 16 in 2023, his everyday is saturated with shoots and night-time dubbing sessions. The demands of the craft are high, and he is cognizant of the looming risk of burnout.
Comedic actors operate in a unique mode; instead of dedicating a chunk of dates to a single project like lead actors, they continuously shuffle between sets. Preparedness is key to Kishore, who insists on script details in advance to allow room for his creative improvisation. He emphasizes the role of a great script in the success of on-screen humor. It’s the foundation that fosters space for spontaneity—an aspect often perfected by his colleague Sathya, whom Kishore regards as exquisitely adept at crafting comedic gold from nearly nothing.
Offstage, Kishore, a software engineer by training, remains an earnest student of the entertainment industry. Cinema viewing and reading fill the interstices of his day. Among his recent reads are Joseph Nguyen’s ‘Don’t Believe Everything You Think’ and Eddie Jaku’s ‘The Happiest Man on Earth’. Meditation and yoga balance his demanding profession, while monthly meetups with other comedic actors offer a semblance of normalcy amid the whirl.
As the release of ‘Chaari 111’ approaches, Vennela Kishore is unusually calm. His detachment post-completion may seem unconventional, but it’s this very detachment that anchors his peace. Whether ‘Chaari 111’ becomes a beloved addition to Telugu cinema’s comedy repertoire or paves the way for a novel spy universe, it will have been a journey defined by Kishore’s unpretentious philosophy—a journey lined with good humor both offscreen and on.
