VISHAL KRISHNA, Unfiltered

ACTOR TURNED PRODUCER - SOON TO TAKE THE DIRECTOR ROUTE-VISHAL KRISHNA EFFORTLESSLY EMBODIES PASSION. FROM TAKING UP THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY TO A NOTCH WITH HIS ACTION-PACKED MOVIES TO GRACING LIVES WITH HIS WARM DEMEANOR AND HEARTY PERSONALITY, VISHAL KEEPS IT REAL, HUMBLE, AND UNFILTERED. HE IS A PHILANTHROPIST TO HIS CORE, AND BELIEVES IN BRINGING SMILES TO EACH PERSON'S FACE HE ENCOUNTERS. HERE IS OUR COVER STAR IN CANDID CONVERSATION WITH US AS HE UNVEILS HIS MANY FACETS IN BOTH CINEMA AND LIFE, ONE QUESTION AT A TIME.

- Vrinda Rastogi

Growing up, was acting always the dream for you? When did you realise acting is your calling?

Acting wasn't part of my journey in life at all. It was in my 12th grade, when I skipped school to watch a film by Ram Gopal Verma called 'Shiva', introduced in Tamil, I decided my career choice. As soon as I came out of the theatre, I told everyone that I want to become a film director. I wanted to work with Ram Gopal Verma and branch out as a director. My mom advised me to finish my degree and then do whatever I want to do. However, my dad always wanted me to be an actor for a long time, but I kept refusing. I began my journey from Chennai itself and worked with actor-director Arjun as an Assistant Director for two films. One day, they screen-tested me out of the blue. When I was an AD, they just told me to come and act in front of the camera. I did an impromptu act. They asked me to come to the editing room and watch myself perform as an actor. I was then told to make my portfolio and try acting as I have a screen presence, and becoming a director is something I can do later too. That was the time when there was a boom for newcomers. It is difficult for newcomers to come into the film industry, but in that particular period, there were a lot of films and directors searching for newcomers. So I started circulating my pictures, and I got my first film! I did it with the cream of the industry, the tech technicians, and the cast crew. I soon landed my second film and since then, there was no looking back. An action hero is very difficult to be accepted, but once my second film was released, it was a turning point in my career. I decided to pursue acting seriously and give it my best.

You went on to establish your own production company, Vishal Film Factory. Tell us a bit about your recently launched production company. From then to now, what is the vision that you carry for it?