In these days of instant communication, word spreads pretty fast and true.

The news is that Aparachitudu is a certified winner. So much so, the main team of the film, led by director Shankar and actor Vikram, were in Hyderabad for a success meet of sorts.

It was indeed nice to talk to some one like Vikram, who speaks from his heart. He is a passionate actor and a nice human being.

And his answers to many questions that day was spontaneous, much like his performance in Aparachitudu.

More than the success of the film, Vikram can legitimately feel that he has arrived a pan-South Indian star as this film has been launched simultaneously in the four States --- and all of them have shown bumper opening.

"It is a tremendous feeling," conceded Vikram. With 425 prints worldwide, it is a great start, he added.

Vikram said the credit for his success in the film went to the director Shankar. He knew what he wanted and got it from me, Vikram said of Shankar.

But Vikram himself came up with his own improvisations. He had a paunch for the Ramu character while for Remo one he was sturdy and suave. "I can go to any lengths to get the nuances of the characters," Vikram said. For Remo character, Vikram lifted weights in the sets to have those bulging biceps. And his long hairstyle meant that there was a huge rush for hair bands in his household as he had to compete with wife and his 11-year-old daughter. "It was all good fun," he said.

Vikram is all set to lay his straight Telugu film after a gap of several years. But that will be only in March 2006.

Till then, enjoy Aparachitudu.