Manam will stay with me forever

Though it was a last minute idea, Akhil’s entry was the icing on the cake and elevated the climax. I told him that he would have never got such an introductory scene even if it were his debut film - Naga Chaitanya

Naga Chaitanya might not be as popular as Ram Charan or Allu Arjun, his peers in the industry, but he’s certainly hitting the right notes as far as his career is concerned. With ‘Manam’ emerging as his second hit on the trot, he is back in the limelight. We caught up with the star who feels that ‘Manam’ is an experience that he will cherish throughout his life. “Very few scripts get the nod in the first narration, but ‘Manam’ was an exemption; we endorsed it when director Vikram narrated it for the first time. We felt it was a perfect film for Tatha (grandfather) and the family. I should thank Vikram for giving me an opportunity to work with Tatha on screen. It was a totally different experience; an experience that will stay with me forever; moments that will help me to grow as an actor,” he states.

When Vikram narrated that Chaitanya would be playing dad to his dad (Nagarjuna), he thought the idea was crazy. “It was a little shocking too. I was a bit hesitant to enact the role. However, Vikram prepared me well for the task; he has given his insights and at the same time ensured that I carried it off in style,” he says, while adding, “Whatever compliments I’m getting for the role I attribute it to Vikram’s vision.”

It turned out to be an intimidating task for him to do the scenes with both dad and granddad to begin with. “It was difficult, as most of the time I’m with a drink in hand, behaving carelessly. I did the first schedule with a lot of bewilderment since I share a certain relationship with them at home and that I always looked up to them as role models and mentors. In ‘Manam’, we had to be more of buddies and though it was tricky, they both helped me to overcome my discomfiture,” he avers.

The actor played two roles in the film – one, an easygoing college student Nagarjuna and the other was Radha Krishna, father of a six-year-old son. I enjoyed playing the contemporary student more, Chaitanya says. “Radha Krishna’s was a mature role and it was something that I hadn’t attempted before. We took a week’s time before deciding on the look. It eventually paid off. If it were not for that role and look, the audience would not have connected to the story.”

On his chemistry with Samantha setting the screen on fire once again, he says, “Both of us started our careers at the same time, and we’ve done a handful of films. We know each other well and are comfortable with each other. That’s why the chemistry was bang on.”

About Anoop’s music, he says, “It is one of the principal reasons for the film’s success. He came up with touching numbers; his re-recording, especially, took the second half to another level. I loved ‘Chinni Chinni’ number the most.”

Stating that it was Vikram’s idea to rope in his younger brother Akhil for a cameo towards the end, he points out, “Though it was a last minute idea, his entry was the icing on the cake and elevated the climax. I told Akhil that he would have never got such an introductory scene even if it were his debut film.”

Delving into how ‘Manam’ impacted his thought process, he says, “Dad and granddad always advised me to do what I believe. I was lost somewhere in the middle and my flops were a result of opting for a tried and tested formula which didn’t go well with my body language. After that I’ve gone back to believing that it’s not necessary that I should follow a particular pattern; if the script has logic, irrespective of genres, the audience will like it and ‘Manam’ has proved it.”

Speaking about the much-delayed ‘Autonagar Surya’, he says, “The release is not in my hands. I’m saddened that it’s getting deferred constantly. But whenever it hits the screens, it will make waves like ‘Manam’.”

Mahesh praises Akhil

Superstar Mahesh Babu, who recently watched the Akkineni family's Telugu family drama ‘Manam’, is all praise for the cameo by debutant Akkineni Akhil, son of actor Akkineni Nagarjuna.

Akhil's cameo was raved by critics and audiences alike. ‘Manam’ also features his grandfather, late legendary Telugu actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao, his father Nagarjuna and brother Naga Chaitanya.

“Pleasantly surprised by Akhil’s cameo in the end..the boy has amazing screen presence….a star to look out for in the future (sic),” Mahesh posted on his Twitter page on Monday.