I'd dream of assisting Gautham Menon after watching 'Kaakha Kaakha.'
— Nani
If you do something mechanically for years to come, you tend to think that is life, but put yourself in a totally bizarre location, and you tend to discover so many aspects of yourself and life in general.
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.'
'Pilla Zamindar' is a fun film. I enjoyed working in it.
With the success of 'Yevade Subramanyam' and 'Bhale Magadivoy,' the audience's faith in me has increased, which is a good sign.
Gossips are fine if they are within limits. But they shouldn't be obnoxious.
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.
'Bigg Boss' is the biggest show in the world, and I'm sure anyone would want to host it, but not me.
Even in the wildest of my dreams, I didn't expect this love and affection as an actor.
Keerthy Suresh knows how to improvise and reworks her expression on the spot.
I always think of myself as an audience first. If I like something, my assumption is that others, too, will like it.
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.
With good content, a solid director can make a film without a superstar.
Nobody has tried anything like this in Telugu cinema. 'Eega' is a landmark film.
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 did get to work as a technician with Bapu in 'Radha Gopalam.'
I usually surface on social media only when there's a film.
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.
When films fail, we definitely feel bad because, as a team, we put in so much effort.
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.
Usually, I get the jitters before a release, and my whole system crashes. I can barely eat or sleep.
I usually don't let any kind of pressure bother me.
Trash my acting and my films. But don't gossip about my personal life.
I got a lot of exposure because of 'Eega,' as the film was released in Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam.
Sometimes, you have to take a stand; you cannot make everyone happy.
It's a happy thing if a film does good business.
My personal opinion is that an actor shouldn't bother himself about expanding his market. He or she should just do good films.
Acting is my world. Acting is my life.
When I truly like a film or my part, it shows on screen.
Script wise, the story of 'Eega' is universal. It's a simple story which everyone can understand.
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 still belong to a middle class family; middle class is a mindset than your financial status.
Anjana knew me inside out even before we got hitched, and now married life is blissful. We are very happy.
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.'
If you don't like a film or do a film out of obligation in a comfortable zone, it would be very painful, but when you do something with passion, interest, and belief in it, it excites you.
My career wasn't planned, never had any targets. I just go by my instincts, and I think I am doing good work.
Take me to any other film industry, and they will be wondering why Telugu audiences love me so much.
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.
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 do films that amuse me and I can enjoy watching.
I used to play cricket every day till Class X but lost touch with it ever since.
When things get heated, you are pulled in different directions, and you've to stand firm.
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.
I personally like melodies. And Mani Sharma garu is the Melody Brahma.
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.
'Ninnu Kori' urges us to take a broader view of life, look past stumbling blocks, and rise above self sympathy.
When people are successful, they usually become lazy.
I believe the audience likes to see well-defined characters on screen than just larger-than-life heroes.
There are two categories of actresses: performance-oriented ones and glamourous ones.
All these years, when someone praised my work, I would feel lucky.
