How was your film career? It looks you are facing several ebbs and tides? Isn’t it?

Of course, yes. For any debutant hero, there will be hiccups and I am not an exception to it. Unfortunately, my films in the last two years including Pournami, Yogi and Munna proved that I was poor in selecting the subjects.

It looks most of your films had mother sentiment and at the same time you are preferring to do action movies?

Though your contention is true, it was just a coincidence and unintentional. When you are talking about mother sentiment, I have no option but to say that all my previous four films had mother sentiment. When it comes to action subjects, I have a point to mention. Whenever I tried to come out of the action image and try my hand in other subjects, they are turning out to be failures. For instance, ‘Chakram and Pournami’ films have less action backdrop. Now that I realised that the audiences are expecting action films from me and the success of ‘Varsham and Chatrapati’ proved it.

What aspects you look into while accepting an offer and what are your plans for your future movies?

I always look for variety. There should be some variation and my films should not be stereotype and there should be some difference. Regarding future plans, I am trying to test my hand in films with lots of commercial elements and at the same time it should have as much as entertainment value.

What is your favorite film in Telugu? Which kind of films do you like most?

I don’t have any special interest in a particular kind of films. I watch all the films with equal interest. However, my all-time favourite is ‘Geetanjali.’ Personally, I like films with sentiment in its backdrop.

It seems you are going to act with Rebel Star Krishnamraju and we heard you have also plans to do a role in the sequel of ‘Bobbili Brahmanna’?

A film in my combination with Krishnam Raju is likely to be by next year. We thought of bringing out the sequel of ‘Bobbili Brahmanna’ on the banner of Gopikrishna banner of my paternal uncle Krishnam Raju. But we postponed the proposal for now as it is expected to be very expensive at this juncture.

Tell us about your forthcoming project ‘Bujjigadu’ (Made in Chennai)?

Story discussions were complete and we are yet to launch the shooting. One thing is sure that the film would be a complete entertainer.

May we know the reason behind accepting roles under established directors?

There is nothing specific and I am not just after them for films. They are approaching me with good subjects and I acted in their films. For that matter, I had encouraged ‘Vamsi Paidipalli’ to wield the mega phone for my last film ‘Munna’. I have no qualms in working with debutants. There was another comment against me that I had accepted the film because ‘Dil’ Raju was the producer. But, it was me who had introduced Vamsi Paidipalli to Dil Raju and got the story narrated to the producer. For that matter, I accepted the film even before the release of blockbusters like ‘Bhadra and Bommarillu’ from Dil Raju’s banner.

Which film did you like most in your movies?

I like ‘Chatrapati’ among all the films in my career. Next comes ‘Pournami’. I also feel that ‘Yogi’ is another good film in my career. However, ‘Pournami and Yogi’ fail to ring the Box Office on expected lines. Though ‘Varsham’ was a big hit in the beginning of my career, I feel that I could have done better with a little more homework. Though I faced some hiccups during the ‘Chatrapati’ shooting, that film gave me an immense satisfaction as an artiste.

Are you interested in folk, historical and periodical films?

Yes. I have lots of interest in historical and periodical films. In fact, I had a strong desire to do ‘Bhakta Kannappa’ role. Again the film would be very expensive, given the technical upgradation these days. Graphics, Digital Intermediate and other such technical aspects would hike the production costs once we ventured into it.

Who is the most-friendly heroine among those who played opposite you?

It is Shriya. She is very cordial, cooperative and friendly. Though, Trisha and myself played together in three films, I did not have that intimacy with her. Especially, I don’t insist a particular heroine for any of my films. I will leave the choice to the director and producer. My job is only to look at my character and do justice to it.

Are you ready for multi-starrers?

Come on. Why you journalists always pose this question. Every artiste will be ready to work with his co-artistes. However, the choice should be very clear. If every artiste gets a right character, anybody would come and work with his co-star. Multi-starrers are not disappearing. If someone approaches me with a good subject with nice substance and importance to my character, I am open to do multi-starrers.

What are the films you watched in recent times?

No, I haven’t watched any of the films in the recent past. However, I would like to watch ‘Chandamama and Happy Days’.

Finally, one question. You are a proud owner of your new house. When can we expect your marriage?

Still, there is a lot of time for marriage. My elder brother is yet to get married. Then my turn will come.