Navdeep: Stuck in the middle - TeluguPeople.com News

Hyderabad: Navdeep acted in his first film, Jai when he was 17 years old. Considering his father was an electronics engineer and no one from his family had ever been associated with cinema, it was quite an achievement in itself. 'Luckily it turned out to be a red carpet entry for me. I had just completed my Intermediate and was looking to get into acting.

I knew someone who knew someone who was familiar with Samir Reddy, the cameraman for Jai, who then put me on to director Teja. To cut a long story short, it was a case of luck by chance,' he shares candidly. However, seven years and 20 films down the line, Navdeep has no qualms in admitting that he's not there yet.

'It's like I am stuck in the middle of nowhere right now. I am neither a successful star nor a failed actor. In seven years, I would have liked to be better off but it's okay, I have no regrets. I am surviving. There are a lot of guys like me in the industry. At least I am past the struggling stage now,' he says thoughtfully.

It is his confidence that keeps him going. 'I am not one of those guys who thinks I was born to act and will die trying. I am not that stupid. The minute I feel things are not working out, I will just walk away. But people always tell me that it is not a question of talent. They say I am just one hit away from becoming a star. That's what keeps me going.

I have a couple of exciting offers in hand and hopefully I can turn things around,' he says. He is pinning his hopes on his next film Mugguru to do the trick for him. 'It is a complete comic caper. Mugguru is the story of three good-for-nothing men who are looking to make it big by hook or by crook. It's going to be a laugh riot from the start to finish,' he says.

He has just landed himself his first Kannada film Dilkush. 'It is a romantic melodrama being directed by Prashanth Raj. I am very excited about the film. It will be my debut in Kannada and I couldn't have hoped for a better start,' he shares.

Manjari Phadnis is paired opposite him in the film. Navde'ep also has six Tamil films to his credit. 'I am looking to diversify and trying my luck in South Indian regional films. It will take me that much more to work with as an actor,' he adds.

He is also making his foray into television. He is going to be hosting the most expensive adventure show in Telugu television history called Super. 'The show is similar to reality shows like Fear Factor and Khatron Ke Khiladi. It is a big- budgeted TV show being produced by Swapna Dutt, producer Ashwini Dutt's daughter.

I play the host and there are about 15 actresses in the cast. I will be doing some daredevil acts. It will be shot in Bangkok and Pattaya with a crew of 60 people for about 20 days,' he shares. Navdeep is an adventure freak and loves travelling. 'I am a bit of an explorer at heart. I love the wild and always head out when I am not working,' he says signing off.