His name has become synonymous with success. Tollywood's hit machine who makes more movies than any other star, Ravi Teja is on a high. Of all the releases this Sankranti, Raviteja's 'Mirapakay' is doing exceptionally well at the box office. Despite competition from an A-lister hero Balakrishna's Paramaveera Chakra and socio fantasy film Anaganaga O Dheerudu, Mirapakayi emerged box office winner. A confident Raviteja says he released it because he was sure it will work this season.

"I am happy it is doing very well. Audience will watch the film if it is good no matter how many release at the same time.In my career, there were four releases for Sankranti festival and this is one of the most successful of them. I never planned conciously to release my film for Sankranti but it is just coincidence. I am overwhelmed with the response" he says with a glint in his eyes.

Overtly shy, Raviteja who entered the film industry with no godfather, today is one of the highly paid stars who is branded as 'minimum guarentee' by the producers. Popular perception is his movies either do exceptionally well or get the money back. Given his 'Akshay Kumar' histrionics blended with slapstick comedy body language, he was recently conferred the ephithet 'Mass Maharaja'. Is he happy with such titles?

"I don't believe in taglines and titles. I don't like them. But my directors and producers call me so.People watch some movie and then compare me with Akshay Kumar or someother actor. I don't believe in number games. Such comparisons keep popping up in media and distribution circles but I don't take them seriously. I would like to be called just Raviteja and nothing else" says the actor who is now giving established A-lister stars a run for their money.

Raviteja's films are a type with trademark comedy. The actor admits that his comedy timing draws crowds and that 'entertainment' is his first priority.

"I like people to laugh and enjoy when they come to watch me in theatres. There is so much drama and pain in everyone's lives. I don't like to replay them in my movies. My films are for those who want to forget their troubles and relax for two and a half hours. Entertainment is my priority. I don't like tragic films and so I believe in making people laugh watching my films" he claims.

This star is one of the few actors in Tollywood who has an image. Though he has done a few thought provoking films like 'Shambho Siva Shambo' and 'Naa Autograph Sweet Memories' in between, offlate he is typecast as an action and comedy hero. The hero opines that though he likes to do scripts that merit critical acclaim, it is not commercially viable.

"I would like to do movies that can win critical acclaim but audience won't watch. People want entertainment.If we make 'different' cinema, the results also will be different.Going by the history, such films didn't do well at the box office. Audience who watch such critically acclaimed movies are very few and we can't keep making films only keeping them in mind. Only musical entertainers with some action have gone on to become hits.Serious films get awards but not money" he says.

"The trick is to try and blend both.For instance in my film 'Vikramarkudu', I play a serious charecter and a comic one and both compliment each other. However, not every script can accomodate both serious and comic charecters.It is rare." Ravi adds.

His comedy timing is earning rave reviews and his movies don't need too many comedians as he makes up for all of them. Ravi reveals that he watches the films of superstars Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda for inspiration. Ravi defends his 'comic' action and declares that making people laugh is one of the toughest thing.

"I observe people outside and their expressioTns. Most of my emotions are picked up from observing people in real life. Besides, I am an avid follower of Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Rajinikanth,Chiranjeevi and Mohanlal. All of them are masters in blending comedy with action. Their comedy timing is splendid and are absolute entertainers. These five are commercial mass actors and are popular because they did 'entertaining' films. Making people laugh is one of the toughest things because the timing is very important." he says.

Hit or flop, he has always been consistent in doing films. He does over three films an year and currently he has 'Veera' a film directed by Ramesh Varma and another untitled film in kitty. Despite his superstar status, Ravi maintains very low profile outside cinema world. He is never seen in social dos or partying with the city's who's who.

"I love to keep a low profile in my personal life. I eat, breathe and live cinema. I don't know anything beyond showbusiness.This is my favourite world and I would like to confine myself to it"

"I don't have future plans and ambitions in life.I love to work round the year. I don't have a fixed rule that I should do these many movies an year. I would like to remain an actor and keep working in cinema until I die" he ends in a typical filmi style.