Vikram looks dashing as ever. He has just returned from Dubai attending 7th International Indian Film Awards (IIFA) and is all set to resume second schedule of his bilingual Bheema. In Hyderabad to inaugurate special jewelry collection at Kirthilals, Somajiguda, he took some time off to chat with us...

How was the IIFA experience like?
It was really good seeing Indian films are getting such a great applause in foreign countries. The entire Bollywood fraternity was there. It was nice to jostle with Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan), Shah Rukh Khan and the entire Bollywood fraternity.

Did you feel disappointed as there was no representation from South Indian film industry?
IIFA is primarily a Bollywood awards function so there is need to be disappointed. Even then this year in the seventh year of its inception, South Indian film industry is well represented by many films from all the four languages. From Telugu, Pokiri and Chiranjeevi sir's Tagore were screened and also Tamil films were screened. Along with Mammootty, Madhavan, and other stars from our industry too attended it. Out of 16 films screened there, eight were from South India.

You are a big star Tamil and Telugu industries. And recently you also made Hindi debut with dubbed version of Aparachitudu!
Oh…that is really great moment this year. Actually I have had my apprehensions about Aparachit's success. And I was not sure that North Indian audiences would receive it. But the response that I got in even B and C centers like Patna, Bhopal was indeed great. And in Mumbai when we screened the film for the press, the entire media gave standing ovation.

There is a talk doing rounds that you have singed on Bharathiraja's maiden Hindi film?
No. Actually I have just attended its launch ceremony in Mumbai and Bharathiraja has asked me to do a role in the film but I could not accept because I feel this is not the right moment to enter into Bollywood. At present, I don't have any plans of Bollywood. Arjun is playing the role that Bharathiraja sir offered me.

What kind of a launch you are expecting in Hindi?
I am not expecting a big bang entry into Hindi filmdom but when I am prepared to do a Bollywood film, I would definitely sign a film that boasts good directors and good banner. I want to work with good directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ram Gopal Varma and Rakeyesh Mehra.

How is Bheema progressing?
We had just completed first schedule here in Hyderabad and we would be resuming a new schedule from July 1st. As I said earlier, it's an action film with right dose of entertainment.

You earlier said you would begin straight Telugu film this year. What happened to it?
Even Bheema is like a Telugu film. The major cast - Shafi, Venumadhav, Sunil are from Telugu film industry. For that matter Trisha is more like a Telugu heroine now. And the producer and major technicians are Telugus too. But again as I promised, I would definitely do a straight Telugu film with a big director very soon. I am committed to do my first film for 'Chatrapathi' Prasad. Hopefully it may begin by this year end.