Awards don't influence me: Sivaji

Chennai: Sivaji feels the true award for an actor is the appreciation he or she gets from the audience, and that is why he says he never gets influenced by awards.

"As an actor, I'm entitled to entertain those who pay money and watch my films. I don't worry too much about awards because I feel though they're important as they recognise the potential of an actor, but honestly, the true award for an actor is when he or she is accepted by the audience", Sivaji told us.

Asked if he doesn't look forward to awards at all, he said: "I do look forward to awards, but when I don't get an award, I don't feel disappointed. I feel disappointed when I've put in lot of hard work and audiences don't appreciate it."

In a career spanning over 15 years, Sivaji has won a Nandi award for best dubbing artist.

Meanwhile, Sivaji will be seen in forthcoming Telugu thriller 'Dhashami', which is coming out in the last week of December.

The film, directed by Yenuganti Cinna, also features Ajay Kumar and Deepti in key roles, while Jayaprakash Reddy, Posani Krishnamurali, Tagubotu Ramesh, Dhanraj, Chitram Srinu and Bharat Reddy are also part of the cast.