These days, Nandamuri Balakrishna and Puri Jagannadh are bonding big-time. The director became Balayya's thick friend during the making of 'Paisaa Vasool'. So much so, even as the gangster flick was being made, Nata Simha promised that he will do his 103rd film with him!

Latest, the Hindupur MLA has blessed 'Mehbooba', the director's immediate next film. Puri is happy to have received the greetings. Akash, the film's debut hero, made it a point to post his pic with the actor, complete with the 'Jai Balayya' slogan. "It is always pleasure to meet #NBK garu and Thank you so much for your guidance and best wishes sir," he tweeted.

'Mehbooba' is a soulful love story set in the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pak war. "Irrespective of the blood relation I share with Akash Puri, it's his love and fire towards cinema that is making me do this film with him," Puri says.

Neha Shetty of Mangalore will debut as the heroine. Sandeep Chowta of 'Super' will be the music director. Starting from October, Puri will shoot the film in the picturesque locations of Himachal Pradesh. "We are also going to shoot in parts of Rajasthan and Punjab," the director says.