'Jolly LLB' is one of my favorite movies. Courtroom films are rare to come by in Telugu.Collection: Movies
'Ninnu Kori' urges us to take a broader view of life, look past stumbling blocks, and rise above self sympathy.Collection: Sympathy
With the success of 'Yevade Subramanyam' and 'Bhale Magadivoy,' the audience's faith in me has increased, which is a good sign.
When it comes to 'Ala Modalaindi,' I was impressed with the storyline narrated by Nandini, the director of the film.
Sometimes, you have to take a stand; you cannot make everyone happy.
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.
I believe the audience likes to see well-defined characters on screen than just larger-than-life heroes.
I love Krishna Vamsi very much as a director, and after working with him, I also started to like him personally.
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.
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.
Many Tamil heroes have a good market in Telugu.
Since I still think of myself as a middle class guy, people get to see that side of me in films like 'Middle Class Abbayi.'
I usually surface on social media only when there's a film.
All these years, when someone praised my work, I would feel lucky.
Anjana knew me inside out even before we got hitched, and now married life is blissful. We are very happy.
I did get to work as a technician with Bapu in 'Radha Gopalam.'
There are two categories of actresses: performance-oriented ones and glamourous ones.
I still belong to a middle class family; middle class is a mindset than your financial status.
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.
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.
Nobody has tried anything like this in Telugu cinema. 'Eega' is a landmark film.
When people are successful, they usually become lazy.
Script wise, the story of 'Eega' is universal. It's a simple story which everyone can understand.
With good content, a solid director can make a film without a superstar.
When I truly like a film or my part, it shows on screen.
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.
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.
Acting is my world. Acting is my life.
I always think of myself as an audience first. If I like something, my assumption is that others, too, will like it.
I personally like melodies. And Mani Sharma garu is the Melody Brahma.
My personal opinion is that an actor shouldn't bother himself about expanding his market. He or she should just do good films.
Keerthy Suresh knows how to improvise and reworks her expression on the spot.
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.
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.
When things get heated, you are pulled in different directions, and you've to stand firm.
'Bigg Boss' is the biggest show in the world, and I'm sure anyone would want to host it, but not me.
I used to play cricket every day till Class X but lost touch with it ever since.
I got a lot of exposure because of 'Eega,' as the film was released in Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam.
People say I pick good films. Rather, good filmmakers choose me. The directors come to me, and I thank them for their trust in me.
I do films that amuse me and I can enjoy watching.
Trash my acting and my films. But don't gossip about my personal life.
Gossips are fine if they are within limits. But they shouldn't be obnoxious.
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.
I usually don't let any kind of pressure bother me.
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.
Usually, I get the jitters before a release, and my whole system crashes. I can barely eat or sleep.
'Pilla Zamindar' is a fun film. I enjoyed working in it.
Take me to any other film industry, and they will be wondering why Telugu audiences love me so much.
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.'