My film with Mani Ratnam is still on

Released a fortnight ago, the teaser of ‘Aagadu’ might have delighted Mahesh Babu fans, but it certainly didn’t go well with Pawan Kalyan fans. The dialogue --- ‘prathodu pululu, simhalu, enugulu, elakalatho yedhava comparisons. Elaparam ochestundi’ (Everyone is comparing themselves to tigers, lions, elephants and rats. It's quite irksome) was the bone of contention with Pawan fans taking it as a barb aimed at their star. However, speaking to Hans Talkies on the sidelines of Idea Student Awards in Hyderabad on Wednesday, Mahesh Babu set the record straight. “It was not intentional; it’s the attitude of my character in the film. I don’t know why so much fuss is being made over it. In ‘Dookudu’, I said, ‘Sher babbbar sher’. My dialogue in ‘Aagadu’ is on similar lines and it was meant to be more of a punch dialogue than anything else,” says Mahesh.

Speaking about the film, he says, “I play a tough cop. It’s full on entertainment and is a signature Sreenu Vaitla entertainer. It has been an amazing experience so far; there are only few portions that need to be shot. The film will hit the screens on September 19.”

The actor has recently participated in a grueling schedule at Ladakh, where they’ve shot a number. Speaking about the experience, he shares, “It was one of the most challenging shoots in my career. The oxygen levels were low and everyone had a tough time. I overcame headaches to shoot the film.”

Talking about his children, he fondly avers that his daughter Sitara is naughtier when compared to son Gautam. On teaming up with his son again, he says, “It’s up to him. If an interesting script comes along, why not? The way he is going, I see him becoming an actor in the future.”

Speaking about the poor numbers that his Sankranthi release, ‘1: Nenokkadine’, has managed to garner, he says, “When we started making it, we knew it was way ahead of its time. I would have been happy had it succeeded at the box-office, but its ok, we need to move on.” Has the result changed his thought process? “Not at all. I’ve always did films that excited me. It’s just that you need to analyse your work and move on _ that’s my mantra,” he replies.

With reports circulating that he has pulled out of his favourite director Mani Ratnam’s action film, he points out that the project is very much on. “The talks are still going on. My dates are being worked out since I’m committed to two other projects. I think all sorts of rumours are spreading because we’ve not announced anything officially. ”

In the recent past, Bollywood actresses like Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor and Sonaskhi Sinha have evinced interest in sharing screen space with him. To that, he responds, “They are amazing actors and I admire their work. If an appropriate script comes along, I won’t hesitate to pair with them.”

The actor will be celebrating his birthday shortly in early August. Prod him on his most memorable birthday so far and he is quick to respond, “My birthdays are generally quiet. However, last year’s birthday in London was special. Days after celebrating my daughter’s first birthday on July 20, I celebrated my birthday.”

On his future commitments, he informs, “My film with writer-turned-director Koratala Siva will go on floors in October. Then there is another project with Trivikram Srinivas.”