Original choice for Sankarabharanam?
Sunday, August 30, 2015 - 07:00
Actor J.V. Somayajulu shot to fame with the classic, Sankarabharanam (1979). But he was not the first choice for the role of Sankara Sastri, a Carnatic singer.
When director K Vishwanath thought of making this movie, his first choice was thespian Shivaji Ganeshan. But K Vishwanath couldn't approach him for various reasons. The other actor he seriously thought of roping in was Rebel Star Krishnam Raju. Then again, he had apprehensions that Krishnam Raju's star image might spoil the serious topic. K Vishwanath promised Krishnam Raju that he would return to him for the role of Sankara Sastri if he couldn't find a right new actor. Luckily for him, he found J V Somayajulu, a stage artiste. Rest is his history.
