As Allari Naresh's 'Meda Meeda Abbayi' hits the screens on Sept 8, the comedy actor takes various questions about the movie, his career path, what he wants to do in future, and more.

What made you accept the film?

I had watched the original, titled 'Oru Vadakkan Selfie' at a time when I was thinking of trying a new type of comedy. It had always been comedy or horror-comedy. I must show a new variation. I am scared of thrillers in general. But 'OVS' is both thrilling and fun. It's a very rare combination.

We did ruminate over who should be the director. But we finally felt that the original shouldn't be tinkered with much. The soul must remain intact. So, G Prajeeth was roped in.

In the end, it's the journey of four characters. Avasaral Srinivas's character is one of the pillars. There is a distinct shade of his character.

What is your character like in 'Meda Meeda Abbayi'?

He doesn't take anything seriously in life. He wants to become a director and thinks that the job is quite easy. He is too dreamy. He is not realistic. He thinks he will make a short film and bag a sensational project. He is fickle-minded. He doesn't do anything completely. What happens when his life is jolted by an incident forms the crux of the story. There is emotion, there is sentiment along with comedy.

Why the title 'Meda Meeda Abbayi'?

This had been in mind for many years. Only that no film that I did suited this title. Since this film is a thriller and I have the image of a comedy hero, we went in for a neutral title. My character is that of a boy next door.

What is the scope for comedy?

People come to theatres expecting comedy from my film. It doesn't matter who does it, whether I do it or other characters do it. In this film, my friends pull my legs and I eat the humble pie, falling for their tricks. But I retort by avenging the insult, etc. Yes, there is 'punch comedy' in store.

With the exception of 'Gamyam', 'Shambo Shiva Shambo' and 'Nenu', I have always been constricted to doing comedy. I have always wanted to do something new. But you don't find a 'Gamyam'-like story every time! 'Gamyam' is the first film that brought me recognition as an actor. 'Meda Meeda Abbayi' fulfills my intention of doing something new.

Has the Malayalam version got similar comedy?

A literal translation from Malayalam to Telugu just can't be done. The 'punch comedy' vein is there. Nivin Pauly, who played the male lead in the original, has a lover boy's image in Kerala. But my image is different. So, adaptation has been made accordingly.

Haven't you done too many parodies in your career, film after film?

I agree. After 'Sudigadu', I decided not to do spoofs in future. Imitation is not acting. An actor shouldn't try to do like somebody else. That doesn't even feel like performing. But I am told that people expect certain kind of comedy from me. I believe in doing healthy comedy, sans slapstick fun and double meaning dialogues. You can make people laugh in sentimental scenes as well. In 'Kithakithalu', my character assumes a negative shade in the second half. But comedy was written into its very story.

What is your state of mind before the release of 'MMA'?

There was a time when I used to feel nervous from a week before my film's release. But not these days. My aim is to never fail as an actor, no matter what the film's fate is. I have tried to experiment with films like 'Action 3D' and 'Laddu Babu'. For the latter, I went through so much physical and emotional stress. Putting on and removing the make-up took so many hours. Although I have had some bad failures, I am not embarrassed.

They say that an actor who can do good comedy can do anything. This is not my statement. Rajinikanth garu, Amitabh Bachchan and the likes have said it. I want to do different kind of roles, including romantic ones and negative ones.

How has your fatherhood phase been like?

It has been a year almost. This is the best phase of my life. I have done more than 50 films. When my daughter Ayana Evika grows up, she shouldn't dislike the kind of films I am going to do from now!