The South Wind series, now five years in, continues to accelerate rather than slow down. If asked to sum up a fresh installment in three adjectives, the answer would be dramatic, expansive, and gripping. The project welcomed new talent, including Hollywood veterans Eric Roberts and William Baldwin. As the lead actor who also serves as producer, the performer explains that his dual role brings a unique perspective. Colleagues from the West brought a level of immersion and seriousness that impressed him. They approached their characters with dedication, avoiding any half measures and fully committing to the project’s energy.
When considering the balance between acting and production, he notes there is sometimes little difference. As a producer who also acts, he can greenlight projects that resemble others from a distance, while as an actor, he would reject a similar role if it did not fit his artistic vision. This balance is not fatal for a producer, but for the actor, it can be devastating. The inclusion of Oksana Akinshina, known for her organic acting, was a deliberate choice. Their prior collaboration in the TV series The Chicks suggested she possessed the range needed for the character Balkan Wind, with the eyes conveying anger, resolve, and compassion. Her performance can imply a whole spectrum of emotions with minimal emphasis, a quality that made the role feel tailor-made for her.
The actor’s filmography spans musical biographies, comedies, melodramas, and fantasy thrillers. That diversity informs the decision to pursue crime drama for this production. The idea centers on transforming a kind, good-hearted young man into a mob boss, a concept that appealed from the moment he began his journey as a producer. From the outset, his collaboration with the director and writer, Milos Avramovich, extended beyond acting to co-promote the project.
In exploring the arc of Petar, the central character, the audience can expect noticeable evolution. In the new drama, Petar exhibits mild paranoia as he digs deeper to escape the mire of his circumstances. He understands time is pressing and the transformation will come soon. The appeal of this character lies in his complexity: he is not a typical crime boss but a fundamentally decent man who wrestles with inner conflict and a sense of duty.
As the franchise grows, its international potential became evident gradually. The quality of material and production elevated the project to stand on par with foreign dramas, prompting a broader, cross-border expansion.
Directing ambitions within the franchise seem unlikely, though the performer has long harbored aspirations behind the camera. He acknowledges a growing sense that directing could become a future path, even as the immediate focus remains on current storytelling. In 2023, Klim Shipenko directed The Challenge and Kholop 2, both significant milestones. The actor reflects on Shipenko’s space travel sequences as memorable and transformative, highlighting the weightless, astronaut-style training as a uniquely impactful experience.
Kholop 2 is positioned to compete with rivals like Cheburashka, continuing the Grisha storyline. The sequel preserves the elements that resonated with audiences while introducing fresh twists. Regarding theatre, the actor notes that the Belgrade Drama Theatre remains a resting place and a source of creative power. The stage offers limitless room for art, a sanctuary that continues to energize him and fuel his performances.