That’s why Jagapathi Babu is on top!

Most mainstream films in the South Indian Industry can’t do without Jagapathi Babu today. His greys have worked to his advantage, his dialogue delivery is as sharp as ever, he’s as fit as a fiddle – there’s almost nothing he can do wrong. However, life wasn’t a bed of roses for him almost eight years ago. Seven flops in a row as a lead actor, his market hitting an all-time low, many thought it was time for him to hang up his boots, except for one man. Boyapati Sreenu. Life after Legend wasn’t the same for the actor.

It was the timing of Jagapathi Babu’s decision that did the trick. He exactly knew that he wasn’t cut out for lead roles anymore. He didn’t have the market either and the time had come to move on. His contemporary Srikanth, for instance, took time to arrive at that decision. Though he has regularly been doing supporting roles in big films, Srikanth kept going back to films as a lead actor. The lack of clarity is hurting him now when he’s still doing silly films like Jai Sena, Idhe Maa Katha (with Sumanth Ashwin, Bhumika).

Luck hasn’t smiled at him either. Srikanth tried to be the audacious villain in two biggies – Yuddham Sharanam, Villain (in Malayalam). Both the films were major disasters and they’ve left him in a no man’s land. However, one aspect where Srikanth has been ahead of the curve is his choice to enter the web medium. Both his shows – Chadarangam, Shootout at Alair – are reasonably well-made, have seen him play elderly, dignified roles with conviction. Perhaps, digital space could pave the way for his resurgence, whereas with films, it’s advisable for Srikanth to have clarity with his choices.