Hosting award functions in south can be challenging: Allu Sirish

Actor Allu Sirish, who is excited about hosting the Telugu segment in the upcoming inaugural edition of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Utsavam, says it will be equally challenging.

IIFA Utsavam, a celebration of the Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada film industries, will take place here from December 4-6.

"It will be an honour to host and I'm very excited. The organisers wanted a young actor with spunk, and someone who can be funny too. They felt I fit the bill and that's how I came on board," Sirish told IANS.

He admits hosting award functions in the south can be tricky.

"Unlike Bollywood where everything is taken in a lighter vein, award functions in the south have predominantly been very formal. It's very challenging because people here are not used to below the belt humour; they take everything personally," he said.

This time, however, it will be "informally funny".

"We will try and find a common ground; anticipate what will work and what won't. We've already started working on the script and writing the gags. It's going to be fun. I'm already enjoying the experience," he added.

On the film front, Sirish is currently shooting for a yet-untitled Telugu project with director Parasuram.