For whatever reason, Athadu's makers kept the audio launch of the film a rather subdued affair. It was held at a set with only the film's crew and Mahesh Babu's dad Krishna in extra attendance.

But the media was not complaining as they managed to buttonhole Mahesh Babu for longish chat. It has been sometime since he was available for a talk.

Mahesh did not disappoint the media as he answered most of the questions with his typical in-your-face spontaneity.

Mahesh began by thanking the producer Jayabheri Kishore who waited for him til he completed Naani and Arjun to start this project.

Athadu, he said, was full of action with dollops of romance between him and Trisha thrown in for good measure.

"It has all the elements to attract the masses. The action portions perhaps the most unique as we have taken extra pains to make it look real and attractive. Mani Sharama's music too will be a great attraction," he added.

Attributing the delay in the film's release to 'the extra work we had put in action sequences, Mahesh said "for instance, we canned the climax fight for more than 30 days. It is the kind of work that has gone into the film".

On the whole, Mahesh was very confident that he had an Okkadu in his hand.