Sandeep Bharadwaj, who makes Bollywood debut with the upcoming film Veerappan, his which is directed by Ram Gopal Varma and produced by Sachiin Joshi, talks about how he tapped into his evil side to play the notorious criminal. Excerpts...

How did the film happen?
I got a call from a casting director who asked me to get in touch with Ram Gopal Varma. The filmmaker gave me a few lines to perform. He liked my performance and sent my video to make-up artiste Vikram Gaekwad asking him if he could make me look like Veerappan. Vikram did a look test on me and once he sent the pictures to RGV, I got the part.

Were you apprehensive about the role?
It was an opportunity to essay one of the most unusual characters. It was challenging and exciting to play a guy who, for most of his adult life, lived in jungles and was either constantly on a hunt or was being hunted.

How did you prepare for it?
I am shy and introverted but had to enact a loud, uneducated man. Also, I did not have much reference as there wasn't much video footage available. I developed a certain kind of walk as for most of his life, Veerappan walked on uneven terrain. Also, my perception about him changed as I started thinking and feeling like him.

Did you tap into your evil side for this character?
I think so because civil and human behaviour comes from our training to become social beings and our rebellious instincts get curbed by the atmosphere around us. That's why we are fascinated with anti-social elements though we don't want to become like them.

You underwent a major physical transformation too...
I lost weight, my eyebrows were altered, I had to sport a fake moustache and my skin tone was darkened. My body language and the wild look in my eyes also made a huge difference. The moment I wore the costume and held a gun in my hand, I started feeling like the character.

Veerappan, produced by Viiking Media & Entertainment, releases on May 27.