I'll never forget where I've come from: Sunil

Chennai: Well-known comedian Sunil Varma, who will be seen as lead in the forthcoming romantic-drama 'Mr. Pellikoduku', says he cannot forget his days as a funny actor because it helped him carve a niche for himself in filmdom.

"I'll never forget where I've come from. I may be playing a lead role, but I'll never forget that I started my career as a comedian. I'll continue entertaining audiences even as a protagonist," Sunil told IANS.

After having played a comedian in over 50 Telugu films in a career spanning over a decade, Sunil turned leading man with S.S. Rajamouli's blockbuster Telugu romantic-drama 'Maryada Ramanna', which was later remade in Hindi as 'Son of Sardaar'.

His second film as the lead actor was Telugu action-comedy 'Poolarangadu'.

"Audiences accepted me in both these films because my character had good amount of comedy in it. Even though I played the lead, my directors were aware of the fact that comedy is my forte and they made me use it to my potential," he said.

Will you stop playing comic roles going forward?

"I wouldn't say I'll stop playing comic roles but since the audiences have accepted me in the lead roles, I will ensure I play roles they'll enjoy watching me in. Even in my new film ('Mr Pellikoduku'), I get to portray my comic side," said Sunil.

'Mr Pellikoduku', directed by Devi Prasad, is a Telugu remake of Hindi super hit 'Tanu Weds Manu'. It also stars Isha Chawla, Vincent, Ravi Babu and Ali.

Sunil essays the role originally played by R. Madhavan in the Hindi version.

The film is jointly produced by Paras Jain and N.V. Prasad.