Wednesday May 21 2008, Hyderabad

I Want to Play Angry Young Man, says Jr NTR

Today whatever I have achieved and having huge fans, it is because of 'Student No.1' that made me dear to the audiences. Then 'Aadi' and 'Simhadri' followed.Both films are special to me.Though 'Aadi' became big hit, it is 'Simhadri' that changed my life.

Rajamouli had given me biggest hit in my career and put me in a position that every hero would envy.Rajamouli and I wanted to work again but we felt we should come up with something that is drastically different from these.So it took three years to reunite again with 'Yamadonga'. We need to make people laugh, cry and go to the homes with happy mood.So we should make such film that caters to all section of the audiences, Rajamouli suggested.

He first told me the title - 'Yamadonga', and said that it would be in the style of 'Yamagola'.I felt happy doing a film that my grand father did and at the same time shocked.'Yamagola' is a trendsetter in sci-fantasy films.People would naturally compare with that, so I naturally had apprehensions.Rajamouli convinced me that it works in our case too.

Then I told him that only Mohan Babu gaaru alone does justice to the role of Yama and convince him to do the movie if we were to go.Rajamouli went to him and told the subject.Mohan Babu gaaru immediately accepted the film saying he would accept it only for Rajamouli and me.So we went ahead with it.But frankly speaking.

I didn't know the complete story.In fact, I never asked Rajamouli.By now,I had immense faith in him and in his direction.Tell us about working with your grandfather NTR, we mean the graphical shots of Late NTR....

It was great feeling when I was shooting for.I didn't know how my grandfather would do in that scene (laughs).Imaging him there and doing the scenes was an ecstatic and excited to see him on the screen.

That great legendary personality gave us a chance to share screen with him in this film.I will always be indebted to Rajamouli for this.Will you do remakes of old classics of you grandfather?

I don't plan my life.I am very practical person.Whether I do remakes or not but I certainly want to experiment.
But, it takes some more time.To get that level where I can do varied roles and experiment.Tarak...

How was it working with Mohan Babu in 'Yamadonga'?

From childhood, I have great rapport and relationship with Mohan Babu uncle.When my grandfather (Tathayya) was doing 'Major Chandrakant', I used to visit the sets and his house.I used to stay at his home for days.Vishnu, Manoj and Lakshmi Prasanna akka are my good friends.Mohan Babu uncle is very close to me than to them.

He treated me as his third son.Apart from that, I have always been his fan. Coming to working experience with him, I should say it was great learning experience and memorable one too.He is dedicated towards acting and very professional.I have learnt those qualities from him during the shooting.

How did you feel working with music director M M Keeravani?

Frankly speaking, I am a small person to speak of such stalwarts like Mohan Babu and KeeravaniWhat can I say about a music director who has achieved so much and done about 200 films? After Ilayaraja, Keeravani is my favorite music directorMost people say Keeravani delivers mass songs best, but I like his melodiesWhen I was doing 'Student No1' , he was the real hero

Both Rajamouli and I were novicesAfter huge success of 'Simhadri', he has given again superb music for 'Yamadonga' too