Exclusive! Vikram Sahidev: Virgin Story is a film apt for my age now and will offer something new to audiences

Vikram Sahidev, once a popular child actor, is now a handsome hunk, turning a lead with the coming-of-age tale Virgin Story. He has no qualms about admitting his privileges as an industry kid. Being born in a film family, facing the camera at an early age gave him many insights into the industry as an insider, the on-set ambience and a distinct edge with his screen presence.

It's never easy for child artistes to transition into full-fledged lead actors but Vikram doesn't let such worries get to him. His Telugu diction is among his strengths, he's a spontaneous performer and his appearances in films like Rudhramadevi, Race Gurram, Naa Peru Surya and most recently Rowdy Boys say a thing or two about his versatility as well.

In an interaction with OTTplay.com, Vikram looks back at his formative years, funny stories behind the sets during childhood and what could crowds expect from Virgin Story.

The film bug bit him early on

There was no pressure from my father or family to join films. I must admit I was attracted to cinema right when I was a toddler. I was even part of Sundeep Kishan's first film Snehageetham as a kid. I spent a major part of my childhood years in Delhi at a hostel. My parents took a crucial yet wonderful decision to send me to a boarding school early on.

The exposure I got from Delhi in the school I was a part of, was immense. Staying, living on your own, you grow up faster, you mature quickly, you learn so much more. I think it was one of the best things to have happened in my life. The film bug, however, had bitten me big time even before I was a teenager. One day, I decided I had to be a part of the showbiz world at any cost.

Bagging Race Gurram and embracing the visual medium

I luckily landed an opportunity in Race Gurram. It was one of my most wonderful on-set experiences ever. After Race Gurram, I had no second thoughts about the career I wanted to take up. With Race Gurram, I remember we had to shoot the childhood sequences twice. Given I had just returned from Delhi then, mugging up my Telugu lines was a challenge. I managed to practice it well before the shoot and I'm glad that they turned out the way it did on the screen.

Films were an integral part of my life ever since. I never really thought about stage fright or being camera-conscious at any time. Being around 10 and 11 means that I didn't even know the camera was a thing to be conscious of. I guess it worked out that way. I had several funny incidents while shooting as a kid. For instance, in Krishnamma Kalipindi Iddarini, I didn't know how to cycle and it was a task for a director to film those sequences. We had someone pushing us in front and balancing with the pedal would be tough.

The influence of his father and if he was affected by the uncertainties of the film industry

Mom keeps telling me that I had told her about my interest to become a doctor, but it was only a childish desire. The uncertainty about a career in films didn't bother me because I had decided to take the plunge. Back at home too, my father was never quite affected by success or failure too much. He came to films because he was passionate about it, gave it his best and was aware that he had to face reality if things didn't work his way.

Maturing as a performer with Rowdy Boys

Working with seniormost technicians in the industry for Naa Peru Surya and Rowdy Boys was very reassuring. The director of Rowdy Boys, Sree Harsha Konuganti, knew exactly what he wanted from me. It made my job very easy. When he approached me to do the film, he only told me that I would be playing one of the lead roles and I didn't even know if it was a negative part or if it would have grey shades.

Harsha sir clearly told me that there were no heroes or villains in his films and there are only characters. He had narrated the story to me almost three years ago. He didn't give any labels to each of the characters in the film and it helped us play the part with conviction without any other thoughts.

The reason to take up Virgin Story

I had first listened to the script of Virgin Story in Hindi. The wit in his writing was delightful and I had a ball listening to it. It was just hilarious. And this was a story that I could do only when I am at this particular age and can't do later. Something this funny and me being at the right age to do, I thought, 'why not?' I connected to it because of the age group it caters to and a lot of teenagers will relate to the situations in the film. It's something new for sure.

If the pressure of being the face of the film has gotten to him

I am not taking the pressure of being a hero or the face of the film. I'll even say that Virgin Story doesn't run on my shoulders alone. I am slightly nervous because we're offering something so new. In most of our films, English is used as a medium to generate humour. In this film, we use English more liberally, like in our daily life. I am on my toes but it is for reasons beyond the fact that I play the lead in it.

Shooting diaries and associating with the director Pradip Atluri

We had a really good time shooting for Virgin Story, it was like working with our peers and we wrapped up shooting for it in 40 days. I finished my portions in a little over a month. We had finished the first schedule of the film and COVID-19 hit us. We did complete the shoot quickly though all of the action unfolded over two years.

After the release, I can assure you that Pradip's writing (Atluri) will be acknowledged. The depth in his lines, his wit and the fun it generates on the screen will be on another level altogether. Understanding it may be a task for a few but if they do get it, it will be hilarious.

Reacting to the hate campaign against star kids in the recent years

I'm not sure if I have something different to say about it than what's been told now. Definitely, we have it easier to start with but proving their mettle is an equal task for everyone. I hope people also acknowledge the fact that I am not coming out of the blues to act when I am an adult. I've been a child artiste, in the industry all my life and not arriving as a lead with this film alone.