Not all comedians can make it big as protagonists. We have seen Brahmanandam who tried and appeared as protagonist in Babai Hotel. The movie might have received good response but people were unable to accept Brahmanandam as a hero. Well, we can put the same the other way round. People presumably were not really in a position to lose a full length actor who tickled their ribs to the core.

The same will be the case with many comedians-including Ali-except one. By now you might have got an idea as to who we are talking about. Yes, it is our own Sunil, who barely had a dialogue or two in Chirunavvutho and with the same he attracted the audience. He marked his presence felt on screen when he appeared as Banthi in Nuvvu Naku Nachchaav. Since then there was no looking back for Sunil.

For the first time he appeared in Andaala Ramudu as a protagonist. The movie was okay even though it didn't fetch special hero image for Sunil. He then bounced back to comedy roles and made people laugh to the core with a series of movies including Bommarillu. As a full length actor, Sunil got a good break only in Maryada Ramanna. Thanks to director Raja Mouli for transforming the image of Sunil-both in terms of looks and performance.

Maryada Ramanna broke all the earlier records of Tollywood to create its own record. In fact, this movie was even adapted by Bollywood film makers and came out with Son of Sardar. Sunil didn't stop it with Maryada Ramanna. Noted director Ram Gopal Varma, who 's liked by versatile actor Amitabh Bachchan, offered Katha Screenplay Direction by Appal Raju. The movie received moderate response but gave hero image to Sunil.

Sunil is now a successful hero in Tollywood industry. He's currently working on a project, which is the remake of Bollywood flick Tanu Weds Manu. Upcoming and sizzling actress Isha Chawla is playing female lead in this project. Lets hope that Sunil makes much more movies as a lead actor and tell the entire world that 'yes, Tollywood cares for talent and not mere stardom.'

(AW Phani)