With his peerless style and ease in portraying different roles, Ramesh has won the hearts of not only the Kannada audience but many of the other language filmgoers also. This friendly and savvy actor spoke to bangalorebest.com at his residence:

With movies like Amruthavarshini, Nammuru Mandara Hoove and other love triangle stories, you have portrayed an image of a loser. Why is that?

(Laughs) I am not a loser. I always lose the heroine, but a person who wins the heart of the audience is the winner in the end. From the past 60 years, the hero always has been getting the girl. But in my movies, the hero loses for a good cause and that is to sacrifice!

Are you a person who sells values and morals in your films or do you just do a film for entertainment?

Of course, yes! My films also sell values and morals. I have got hold of the good guy's character which is more of a practical and idealistic type. It is not artificial at all.

How have your experiences in Telugu and Tamil movies been?

I like coming back to Kannada movies because of personal success and also because the movies run better. Tamil and Telugu movies are fun to do as you gain more money wise.

Which are your upcoming movies in Kannada, Tamil and Telugu?

'Rhythm' in Tamil with Arjun and Mina where I have a guest appearance. The movie is directed by Vasant and the music is by A R Rehman. In Kannada I have Shaapa, Hoon anthiya oohoon anthiya, Mahalakshmi, Koorigalu saar koorigalu and two other movies with Kelu Ram Krishna and Pallavi Prakash which I have signed.

How do you blend the hectic shooting schedule with your family life?

Yes, it does become very hectic at times and I am unable to spend time with my family. But this year onwards, I have been more careful and have decided to do only six films a year.

Your role in America! America! was of a guy who is idealistic and patriot. Are you such a person in real life too?

(Smiles) It was 90 percent of my character and me. This guy 'Surya' was a person so patriotic that he would not sell India to America, would only sell Indian products there. I too had many chances to go abroad but I never felt like leaving the country. After the release of this movie, I got a fan mail from a boy who got through GMAT and wrote to me saying that he had dropped his plans of going abroad after watching America! America! It was really very heartening, you know!

What do you have to say about the Rajkumar kidnap drama.

All of us never thought the kidnap would go on this long. The brain says that we should resume our work but the heart does not agree to it.

Which is the role you have been influenced by and want to do?

The Nutty Professor- Eddie Murphy is so good in that!

Which has been your best performance till date?

I've given my best shoots and performances till today. I've never been dissatisfied.

What does it take for an actor to reach the top?

One must give a sincere performance without any faking and be as honest to the role as possible, plus 'something'.

This friendly actor has also written the story and screenplay for the film 'Hoomale' which got the National Award for the Best Kannada Movie. Kamal Hassan has been his inspiration and, of late, he likes Kamal's approach to movies.

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