My biggest fear is getting stereotyped, says Telugu star Nani

This Telugu actor is gearing up for his next release Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha on February 16. Actor Nani had two superhits in 2015 and in his first release for 2016 we will see him pair up with debutante Mehreen. In an exclusive interview with dna, the Eega star talks about his upcoming movie, scripts, and much more.

What's your upcoming release Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha about?
This movie is about Krishna and based in Anantapur-Hindupur in Rayalaseema area. It's about how this guy who is in love with his childhood sweetheart for 15 years, has to do something brave. He is scared about everything. He takes up a job which involves a lot of risks just to get his love. What he does and what happens in the process is what this film is about.

How was your co-star Mehreen who is making her debut in Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha?
She's really good. Compared to what I was in my first film, she's 100 times better. It was easy for me because I know the language. She doesn't know the language and the role is also that of a village girl called Mahalakshmi. She did such a convincing job that now everyone on set calls her Mahalakshmi. No one calls her Mehreen. I think she will go a long way.

Tell us about the director Hanu Raghavapudi.
All my cousins complain that I am mad about films because I am either working on films or watching them. I am always talking about films. If they think I am mad, then there's one more person who is ten times more mad - that's Hanu. He doesn't care if he eats, sleeps or anything - he is just crazy about films. Before the audio release, I don't think he slept for some 50 days. At the audio release, he was walking like a zombie. Even if he's not required to be present, he still wants to sit there and see what's happening. This is the first time that I feel that this movie should be a blockbuster for him. He deserves more success than anyone I have ever met. I genuinely wish this film becomes a big hit for him.

On what basis do you choose your scripts?
I think it all comes from the kind of cinema I love to watch. Growing up, I've always watched films in this theatre called Sathyam Theatre in Ameerpet. We used to live right behind this theatre and every Friday the movies change. All my life I have seen films only in that theatre. Unknowingly, it has had a strong impact on me. Whenever someone is narrating a story to me, I imagine the film on the Sathyam Theatre screen. I am completely in sync with the audience at Ameerpet. I tend to judge it through their eyes - will they like it? will I like it if I watched it there? I look at a script as an audience and if it excites me as an audience then I do that film. I never listen to a narration as an actor or what is in there for me. Sometimes the end result might not match up to what you imagine and sometimes it will. It all depends on the execution.

You choose films that have a strong storyline, not the commercial aspects.
Yes. Having a good storyline is the biggest commercial aspect of any film which we tend to ignore. What is commercial? It is something which runs and which people like. We abuse the word commercial in a very wrong way. We think commercial means an item song, a fight, etc. We gave it a wrong meaning. A strong storyline is what brings the film closer to the audience and make them love the film. My definition of commercial is different. 

You don't come from a film background.
Not at all! In fact, I have 17 cousins in Hyderabad who are all in the United States except me. Before I became an actor, I used to be the 'black sheep' of the family.  They used to tell my cousins, "If you don't study, you'll become like him." Now they are all proud of me.

In Telugu cinema, most of the actors are from film families. Did you find it difficult to break into the film industry? 
Star kids come with expectations but for someone who is ordinary, it's a one in a million chance. It is definitely very difficult if you don't come from a film background to get your initial break. There are a lot of actors who are struggling and have struggled more than me and still didn't make it. I am sure there are more talented people than me who are struggling and not at the right place at the right time. So I can't say that I've really gone through a tough time. Buit not coming from a movie background has its advantages. When someone tells you that they are a fan of your work, the entire credit goes to you. You know that they are not saying that because they liked your father's work or someone else's work. You know you've earned it. It gives a high that nothing can match. 

You've had several big hits in the last few years. Do you ever think you should be No 1?
Never! I just love being a part of cinema. I love waking up in the morning and coming to the shoot; I like the whole production; I like my make-up smell; I like everything about cinema. I love this pre-release tension and love going to post-production and see how everything is falling into place. I love the re-recording sessions and I love watching my film with the crowd on the release day. For me the process is so much fun, it's not the result. Ten years down the line if you ask me, I still want to be just working. I don't want to be first or second, I just want some work that I will enjoy. I don't want to do films as a compromise; I'm happy in my space and I want to do the kind of films which I love to do. I just hope I am part of cinema in some way or the other. 

Do you have any particular genres that you like?
I want to do all kinds of cinema. I don't want to be stereotyped - that's my biggest nightmare! I don't want to repeat myself so what my last film is will not be like what my next film is. I want it to be as contrasting as possible. I can only choose from the best that comes to me.