Superstar Mahesh Babu is getting ready for the release of his latest film, ‘Srimanthudu’. The movie is supposed to be an action entertainer with a good social message and family values. Directed by Koratala Shiva, the film has been produced by Mythri Movie Makers.
Mahesh Babu has been promoting the film very aggressively and we spoke to him during a recent media interaction. Check out what he has to say about the film.
RD. What can you say about ‘Srimanthudu’?
MB. Content is the king in this movie. The story has good depth and I have a very emotional role. I enjoyed working for this movie.
RD. You seem to have become more accessible for this film’s promotions?
MB. I have always believed in promoting my films aggressively and because this film has very good content, I am doing my bit to make it reach more people.
RD. What attracted you to this story?
MB. This is a film with a story that has universal appeal. I loved it when Shiva garu narrated it to me and I agreed to do the film right away. People will connect very easily with the emotions in the film.
RD. Do you think you have experimented enough in your career?
MB. I think I did my fair share of experiments. Sadly, whenever I experimented, it did not work out at the Box Office. Be it ‘1’ or ‘Takkari Donga’ or ‘Nani’. Perhaps, something in those films was not right. I don’t know. But when huge budgets are involved, I have a responsibility towards my producers and I must ensure that some commercial elements are a part of the film.
RD. 1 Nenokkadine was received well on TV though it failed in theaters. What do you feel about that?
MB. (Smiles) Em chestham. oka navvu navvesi vadilestham. (What can I do except to smile and let it go)
RD. Do you have any plans to produce films with other actors?
MB. As of now, it is my films only. I haven’t thought much about production with other actors.
RD. Do you have plans to direct films?
MB. No. (Industry nundi pampeddam anukuntunnara enti) (Laughs)
RD. Your father Superstar Krishna and many other people expressed a desire to see you in a role like that of James Bond. When will you do a film like that?
MB. See these are all visions. And a vision like that requires a strong director to pull it off. If a director comes to me with a convincing script for a role like that, I am ready. But I can’t go to directors and ask them to prepare a film that shows me in a role like James Bond. It won’t work out that way.
RD. What about Mythological films like Alluri Seetharama Raju?
MB. Alluri Seetharama Raju is a classic and it is like a Bible for me. One should never touch classics like that.
RD. What are your future projects? Are you doing a film with Vinayak?
MB. I will be doing Brahmotsavam after this. That will take about seven months to complete. As for a film with Vinayak, it is still in discussion phase. If something works out, we will hold a press conference and announce it.
RD. Good luck for Srimanthudu sir.
MB. Thank you
We ended our conversation with Mahesh Babu on that note. The movie is expected to complete censor formalities tomorrow (August 4th) and it will also release simultaneously in Tamil as Selvandhan. The film has music from Devi Sri Prasad and Shruti Haasan is the female lead.
Interviewed by Mahesh S Koneru
