'Drillman of India' from Telangana invited for America's Got Talent

HYDERABAD: A 28-year-old man from Suryapet in Nalgonda has been invited to participate in the auditions for popular TV show 'America’s Got Talent'. 'Kranthi Drillman' as he is known, will present his unique feats in front of the judges of the popular show. “It is a big opportunity for me to showcase my talent in front of the world,” Panikeri Kranthi told TOI before leaving for the US on Thursday.The auditions in Los Angeles are slated for February 9.
What is unique about Kranthi who hails from Addaguduru village of Mothkur is that he can drill into his nose using a machine. He will not spill a drop of blood. Kranthi, who aspired to become an IAS officer, has showcased his talent in several countries so far including the US, Singapore and Malaysia. He has performed in more than 300 shows on stage and also on several television programmes including “Indian’s Got Talent”. It was through that show that his name was recommended for the “American’s Got Talent” show.
“I’ve always wanted to do something unique to be known as somebody unique in the world,” Kranthi said explaining how he had started practising his feats since he was studying in Intermediate. The “Drillman” performs some more unique feats. He can send 32 knives into his throat, without getting hurt. Each knife will be two feet in length. This apart, he does not get hurt when he drips his hands in hot boiling oil. “I can even drink it,” he said. But how does he do it? The only answer he gives for it is that he practices.
Lately, he has even able to perform a feat nobody else has. “I can allow a Toofan (vehicle) to be run over my nose without getting hurt,” he said.
Kranthi aimed at getting into the civil services to become an IAS officer as he felt the need to remove caste discrimination in the society. “As someone belonging to the SC community, I have myself faced such discrimination,” he said. The IAS dream did not materialise and he did not pursue it after he completed his graduation. “I am a mason’s son and I do masonry work,” Kranthi said when asked about his livelihood. His father Sattaiah recently had a paralytic stroke and his mother Mallamma is an agriculture labour. They have no agriculture land.
It was in 2015 that Kranthi gave a surprise to his parents and family and revealed to them what feats he could perform. As the family does not have a television, he took them to the neighbour’s house. “When they saw me do the feats on India’s Got Talent show, they were surprised. They were concerned about me but did not discourage me,” he recalled.
What other feats can be perform? “I can climb a tree upside down,” he said talking about his various talents. But now, Kranthi, 'India’s Drillman' is on his way to LA to show the world what an Indian can do on American television.