Telugu star Sundeep Kishan is not going to allow the Covid to dampen his spirit.His faith in theatre-going audiences remains intact.“The entire debate on OTT versus Cinema is futile.The two are not interchangeable experiences. My film Kasada Thapara which released on SonyLiv last month was suited to the digital format. But my next release Gully Rowdy is a full-on theatre experience. There are two factors that make it suited exclusively for theatres. One, because it is an out-and-out masala experience. Such ceetee-maar experiences are not part of the OTT culture. To enjoy such a masala product the audience has to go to the theatres to share the experience with others . Secondly, Gully Rowdy is a comedy. Humour , as we all know, is a collective experience. One can’t enjoy it in isolation.A comedy only works with an audience.”

Sundeep is basking in the praise he has garnered for his role in Kasada Thapara. “I knew I was taking a risk. It is a very different movie experience and one that my fan following didn’t expect from me. But the minute director Chimbu Deven narrated the film and my role I was sold. I need to stretch myself as an actor.And Kasada Thapara gives me the opportunity.”

As for the OTT platform Sundeep is not against it. “In fact I had two releases Kasada Thapara in Tamil in which I star, and Vivah Bhojanambu in Telugu which I produce and do cameo in, on the same day on the same OTT platform. When I was in the US for three years some years ago, I had seen the OTT revolution coming. But that doesn’t mean the theatre experience is over. Hopefully when Gully Rowdy releases on September 17, the audience will keep my faith alive.”

Sundeep feels the same urge to restore his normal life as everyone else. “We all need to go back to work. We all have unfinished business waiting to be taken care of . It’s a tricky situation, I know. Also as human beings we cannot live the same life on repeat every day. We’ve to have something to look forward to . Somewhere we need to move on with our lives.”

Sundeep’s advice to his followers and fans? “Be patient for a while longer. Do not lose hope, We will win this war. It may take six weeks or six months. But we will.”

Sundeep is just back from an all-boys’ holiday in Russia. “It was a much needed break with my male pals. Now I am back for non-stop shooting,” says Sundeep,