Nani awaits the release of 'DevaDas' this Thursday (Sept 27). In this interview, the Natural Star talks about the comedy entertainer, working with Nagarjuna, how he sees the failure of his previous film, his upcoming movie, and more.

How was it working with Nagarjuna? Since he is a senior actor, you must have had certain inhibitions in the beginning?

When I was told Nagarjuna garu is the one I would be acting with, I was tensed. It's because he, Chiranjeevi garu, Balakrishna garu and Venkatesh garu are seniors in a different way. Other senior actors are still your classmates, they are front-benchers. But these four actors are different. As such, I thought I will face small problems. But Nagarjuna garu gelled with us from the first day. Working with him was still like working with an actor of my age group. We started off with a song shoot and within half-a-day we both got the sync. Whenever I see him on the sets, I used recollect memories of standing in queue for ‘Ninne Pelladutha’ tickets.

I had apprehensions as to whether I can effect improvements on the spot, given the nature of the film. After watching the rough edit, he called me up and appreciated me by speaking of the first five minutes of the movie.

What was running in your mind at first?

I co-hosted the IIFA awards with Rana Daggubati. Nagarjuna garu graced the ceremony. When an anchor asked him what he thinks about my anchoring, Nag garu said that he likes my Telugu and that he likes me. Amala garu said the same thing about my Telugu. When someone had sent me that clipping, I showed it to everybody in my family. When I bagged 'DevaDas', I wanted to give the best so that the impression that he has on me doesn't vanish. I am sure I have more than met his expectations.

Is it true that it's you who had introduced director Sriram Adittya to Nag?

When Sridhar Raghavan narrated the story to us, we felt it was good to be adapted for Telugu audiences. It had to be both realistic and commercial. When we were looking for a director who could do that, I happened to watch the trailer for 'Samanthakamani'. I inquired about his first movie from a friend. I was satisfied and invited him over. He was given a month's time to write the screenplay. I was shooting for 'MCA' when he completed the work and came to Warangal to give a narration. By then, I had made 2-3 commitments. I wanted to reject the movie if the script was not up to the mark. But the way he narrated, I was impressed. I adjusted my dates for 'DevaDas'.

How do you see doing a multi-starrer?

I am not an image-driven artist. Nobody comes to watch my movie just going by "cut-out". Neither do they come to see my movie to enjoy just the visuals. They come to see my film as a film. Nag sir coming on board to do the movie was a big big plus.

It has been alleged that 'DevaDas' is nothing but 'Gundamma Katha'. Yet others are saying that it's nothing but 'Munnabhai MBBS'. What is your take?

Only because there is a rapport between two heroes and the humour is of the 'Munnabhai' variety, such comparisons are being made. Not that 'DevaDas' is a full-on comedy as there are so many emotional moments as well. It's a feel-good movie that will make you cry, too.

How was it working with Vyjayanthi Movies?

During the making of 'Yevade Subrahmanyam', Ashwini Dutt garu was not very involved. But with this film, he has been totally into it. He would always be there for us. He is very passionate about cinema. He gives me genuine feedback on the first day of my movie. He treats me as a person in his own family.

Your last film, 'Krishnarjuna Yuddham', was a disaster. How do you see it?

'Dishti poyindi anukunna'. I ascertained my performance and cogitated over it. I concluded I had done no wrong from my end. May be, there could have been done something better on the scripting front. But many on Twitter have said that the film was good.

When is 'Jersey' going on the floors?

The shooting will begin from Vijayadasami. I am getting trained for 3.5 hours every day. I will be playing a batsman in the movie. This is the kind of film I will remember for the rest of my career.