I kept aloof from everyone at home during that time: Akhil

“In person, I am a person who doesn’t talk about myself,” Akhil Akkineni tells IndiaGlitz in a freewheeling chat.  Catch the youngster talking about being flirty in a healthy way, building abs for ‘Mr. Majnu’, Naga Chaitanya and Samantha, and more.

Does Akhil go and talk to a stranger if she is a beautiful woman?  ”Even if she is pretty, I don’t go to her randomly and pick up a conversation.  Everyone likes a little bit of flirting and I do indulge in healthy flirting at times.  I don’t use “pick up lines” with girls.  In ‘Mr. Majnu’, I found it awkward to use ‘Excuse me, miss’ in those scenes. But Venky Atluri insisted that I should do that,” Akhil says.

“For the last two films, I had to be subtle and look mellow.  For ‘Mr. Majnu’, I needed to be more energetic,” Akhil says.

“Self-criticism is important.  Maybe, I have inherited it from my mother.  It’s important for an actor to self-analyze.  I have to look back and learn what did I do wrong and right.  That’s the thought behind introspection,” he adds.

Akhil feels that unrealistic expectations have exerted pressure on him.  ”I am expected to deliver the best.  Over-expectations from me have been my enemy.  After ‘Hello’, I am a different person, though.  ’Hello’ seems to have flopped because it came at a time when audiences are interested in comedy the most.  They want to watch happy films.  ’Hello’ was a niche film with no high levels of energy.  It had no much happiness, no much dance in its screenplay.  But it did a lot of good for me.  I was in a negative space before it happened,” he ponders.

What about Akhil sporting a macho look in the title track of ‘Mr. Majnu’?  Was it needed at all?  ”It was not needed to have that 8-pack-abs look in the movie.  But giving more than what is necessary is not wrong at all. It took a lot of effort for me to tone my body.  Shekar Master promised that he will compose a unique song.  I had to go through a diet regimen for 2 months.  I didn’t drink water for four days. While building up, I didn’t talk much at home for a month.  I was frightened that I might get irritated.  So, I was aloof to be fair to others.  People would be scared to come near me during that time.  After the diet regimen was over, I binged on five varieties of ice-creams at once.  It was a memorable day for me,” he reveals.

Talking about his brother Naga Chaitanya’s post-marriage life, Akhil says, “After marriage, he has changed a lot.  He is looking more handsome.  As a person, he has been the same.  He is a very strong person from inside.  Samantha’s energy levels are too high.  Chaitanya is mellow.  They are the perfect couple.  I definitely believe in marriage.  But it’s not happening right now,” Akhil signs off.