Siddhu Jonnalagadda interview: The humour in ‘Jack’ will not dilute its crux

Siddhu Jonnalagadda returns with new Telugu film Jack, focusing solely on acting, and reveals Tillu Cube is in the pipeline.

A year after the blockbuster Tillu Square, Siddhu Jonnalagadda returns with his new Telugu film Jack, which releases on April 10, written and directed by Bhaskar of Bommarillu fame. Over the past nine years — barring a brief role in Kalki(2019) — Jack marks the only project in which Siddhu has not worn multiple hats as co-writer, co-editor, or creative producer. It was, he admits, a welcome breather to focus solely on acting — the craft that first drew him to cinema.

“It was a relief,” says Siddhu. Although he experienced a few withdrawal symptoms, he resisted the temptation to involve himself in other departments. “Gradually, I began to enjoy focusing just on acting and nothing else. These days, it is rare to not be doing something all the time. I am reminded of an interview where Diljit Dosanjh said he enjoys taking a break by doing absolutely nothing. That’s the best way to reset and refresh.”

That said, Siddhu has not exactly taken it easy. When not filming Jack, he and his friend, director Ravikanth Perepu, have been busy completing three scripts, with more stories lined up for future projects.

Jack is an investigative action entertainer, and Siddhu’s character brings a flair for humour. Ever since his hyperlocal one-liners as Tillu became a rage in DJ Tillu and its sequel Tillu Square, Siddhu has cultivated an image as the “funny guy”. “People expect me to deliver fun lines, so Bhaskar sir and I decided not to take that away completely. I don’t want to shock the audience by suddenly becoming too serious or silent. At the same time, I am mindful of not getting stuck in that image,” he says. “Jack deals with larger issues, and while there’s humour, it doesn’t dilute the core of the story.”

Siddhu reflects, “When I was a struggling actor, I used to read about actors turning down films because they didn’t suit their image. I understand their point of view now.” That said, he is eager to take on roles that allow him to explore different shades. One of his upcoming projects, Telusu Kada, directed by Neeraja Kona, is an intense romantic drama.

Returning to Jack, Siddhu says his character’s name — Pablo Neruda — adds a layer of quirk and intrigue. “In the film, my mother is a fan of the Chilean poet and names me after him. When Bhaskar sir told me this, I found it interesting. A lot of youngsters today might know Pablo Escobar, but not the poet, so it might spark some curiosity.”

In many ways, Krishna and His Leela, which had a direct digital release during the lockdown, was a breakthrough for Siddhu both as a co-writer and actor. But it was Tillu that made him a household name. With Jack arriving after two Tillu films, does it feel like a test? “Not at all. Every film is a new test,” he says with a smile.