Balu Charan steps into lead role with ‘Sugriva’; Actor reflects on journey from supporting roles to lead

Actor Balu Charan , who has been part of films like Bangaru Babu , Mirapakay and Lava Kusa , is stepping into a new phase of his career with Sugriva , where he takes on a lead role. Beginning his journey in 2006 with Godava , where he played the hero’s friend, Charan gradually built his filmography while also balancing responsibilities beyond acting.“While working as an artiste, I also developed a business alongside to balance my time and responsibilities,” he says, adding that he later ventured into film distribution as well.Despite exploring different avenues within the industry, acting remained his core focus. “Despite moving into business and film distribution, I never wanted to stop acting,” he shares. Over the years, he continued to take up varied roles as an artiste, shaping his understanding of performance.In Sugriva , which released on Friday, he plays Bala Subramanyam, a responsible father navigating difficult circumstances when his family gets caught in a mafia situation. “We shot across Goa, Vizag and Kerala, and I put in a lot of hard work, including learning gymnastics for my role,” he reveals, calling the film a crucial step in his journey.The actor also credits social media for playing a key role in the film’s reach. “Without it, we wouldn’t have reached this stage. The support we’ve received without spending at all is something I truly value,” he says.Coming from a humble background, with a farmer father and homemaker mother, he says every opportunity matters. “For me, every role matters, whether it’s a hero, villain or comedian,” he notes. With two more projects in the pipeline, the actor is now focused on building a steady and lasting career in cinema.