When things get heated, you are pulled in different directions, and you've to stand firm.
Nani
I am a big fan of A.R. Rahman and Mani Sharma, and I went to a shop to buy these music directors' CD. But I had only Rs 100, and Rahman's CD cost more, so I couldn't buy both. So I bought Rahman's CD and stole Mani Sharma's CD.
Everyone has a 'Majnu' in them. It's not about the sad or happy climax. It's a term we use to define someone who falls in love and faces problems.
I come from a large family, with 16 cousins. My cousins studied well and moved to the U.S. When we all gathered together for special occasions, they would be well groomed and confident. I was the odd, useless one out. All I wanted was to be able to earn without my dad's help and be self-sufficient enough to own a house and a vehicle.
I thought I could handle 'Nenu Local' well and make the romance seem cute than annoying, and going by some of the feedback, I think I managed it.
'Bigg Boss' changed my view of the world. Before I joined the show as its host, I was living in a bubble. I believed the real world is a happy place. 'Bigg Boss' made me realise that the world is made of all kinds of people, including some judgmental ones. It has introduced me to the real world.
'Ninnu Kori' urges us to take a broader view of life, look past stumbling blocks, and rise above self sympathy.
It's easy to play a character who is suffering with a disease or has a psychological problem. 'Gentleman' is completely opposite. There are both positives and negatives in the role, and it is the most challenging role I have done so far.
Since childhood, I've never been a morning person. I need something exciting, out of my comfort zone, to get out of bed.
I wish that 'Yama Pasham' will be a bigger hit than 'Krishnagaadi Veera Prema Gaadha.'
I took up Tamil films because I'm a big fan of Mani Ratnam. I thought maybe he'll notice me if I act in a Tamil film.
I wish that I will get to work with Gopi Sundar again and again.
I miss a lot of things; that's the price one pays for stardom. I miss standing in queues, buying tickets, and watching films first day first show. It isn't the same going to preview theatres or multiplexes and trying to stay incognito.
'Pilla Zamindar' is a fun film. I enjoyed working in it.
When I worked as an assistant director in 2007, Indraganti Mohan Krishna offered me a lead role. Now, the same director has made me a villain in 'Gentleman.'
Whenever I bump into Rajamouli sir, I jokingly ask him about 'Eega 2.' As a fan of 'Eega,' I want the sequel.
Since I am an outsider, I never knew how it feels to have a superstar in one's family.
'Manu' is one of the best albums. The climax song will be a trump card for all break-up songs. Everybody will talk about the language of the lyrics.
When we did 'Ashta Chamma,' I never thought people will pay money to watch me on screen. I never took myself seriously back then.
After 'Dhayyam' and 'Conjuring,' a film that really scared me is 'Gruham.'
I have not seen the Hindi version or the first season of 'Big Boss Telugu.' I will bring my own style to the show, using my understanding of how the format works.
Nobody has tried anything like this in Telugu cinema. 'Eega' is a landmark film.
There was a notion that I could do only niche films like 'Yevade Subramanyam' or 'Krishna Gaadi'... I wanted to break that and draw in a larger audience so that next time I do a so-called niche film, more people might come out to watch it.
Sometimes we postpone releases because of another big film or some other reasons. In the end, the big film, too, postpones, and the impact is on the small films. So once you decide on a release date, you have to go ahead with it.
It's not sinking in, as I still believe I am a kid! And now I am going to have a kid. I'm slowly digesting it.
Keerthy Suresh knows how to improvise and reworks her expression on the spot.
A real blockbuster is one where everyone, from a small technician to a distributor, gets profits. The true success of a film is when every person involved is happy.
I have realised that I am not cut out for the regular, commercial potboilers. I know I don't have it in me to do such films.
With the success of 'Yevade Subramanyam' and 'Bhale Magadivoy,' the audience's faith in me has increased, which is a good sign.
I'd rather fail doing what I believe in and feel satisfied that I tried.
I did get to work as a technician with Bapu in 'Radha Gopalam.'
My career wasn't planned, never had any targets. I just go by my instincts, and I think I am doing good work.
When I entered the industry, I wanted to work with good directors like Mani Ratnam and Gautam Menon; that's why I did Tamil films. I realised later that I was not adding anything to the Tamil scripts and that it was a waste of time for me.
All these years, when someone praised my work, I would feel lucky.
Script wise, the story of 'Eega' is universal. It's a simple story which everyone can understand.
The title 'Vaisakham' sounds so good because it's a pure Telugu title. When I watched the trailer, it became clear to me that it's a pucca commercial movie.
It was a wonderful experience working with Nagarjuna sir. I mean, I never expected this to happen. For me, who watched his films standing in a queue at theatres, and now sharing the screen with him is a huge thing.
A director is a director. We shouldn't categorize one into a this or that director.
B.A. Raju garu is very knowledgeable when it comes to cinema. He has sound analysis.
It's a happy thing if a film does good business.
Even in the wildest of my dreams, I didn't expect this love and affection as an actor.
I and Dil Raju guru have always wanted to work with each other. He had sent to me stories, 4-5 over the years, but somehow, something was not perfect with them. But when I listened to 'Nenu Local,' I felt the time had arrived.
Even when I was doing three films a year, I would somehow find two weeks to spend time with my family apart from the regular weekend breaks. But 'Bigg Boss' took up more time than I had expected. On top of it, I also had to shoot for 'Devadas.'
I respect Srikanth garu, I worked as an assistant director for his film 'Radha Gopalam.'
I'm glad that so many directors are keen to work with me.
When the characters are believable and endearing, action scenes, for example, make an impact. Otherwise, the audience gets no kick out of action. The biggest strength of 'MCA' is that its characters are real.
Usually, I don't revisit a scene once shot. However, in 'Gentleman,' every morning on the sets, I had to revisit the last four scenes and then shoot for the next set of scenes.
My journey with Krishna Vamsi had started with revenge and ended with love. When I went to Krishna Vamsi's office to work as an assistant director, I was sent out. Then I had thought they might one day need me.
I used to play cricket every day till Class X but lost touch with it ever since.
Gossips are fine if they are within limits. But they shouldn't be obnoxious.
