Come Jan 13, NP will release big-time. NTR, in a free-wheeling chat says that although the story is not new, the screenplay is very different.

He speaks on working with Sukumar, why he won't dance like crazy for all the six songs from now, and more..

You are looking tired.

Yes, I'm tired. More than tiredness, it is stress and nervousness. We have been working for days and nights together. Obviously, it's because of the tension ahead of the film's release. We wanted to make it for the season and not miss out on Sankranti. It's specially getting that one day advantage, too.

With four films in the race, do you think the collections will be split among these?

In my opinion, Tollywood has gone beyond records; it has crossed all those borders. There was a time when certain films ran for 365 days. For example, Lava Khusha and Premabhishekam. In my generation, the longevity came down to 175 days. It is now only 14 days. The objective now is to cater to the maximum number of audience in the shortest time. That's the major debate now.

I remember well that Adurs, Shambo Shiva Shambo and Namo Venkatesha, which all released simultaneously, all had a break even. When Student No. 1 released, there were 7 other releases week after week, all of which went on to become hits. Tollywood has the range to sustain all the four films this season. It won't be a shocking news if all the four films become hits.

Did you want your 25th film to be like this?

No, 25th film was never a mark. The objective was always to do a film with Sukumar. In fact, many were confused whether 'NP' is really my 25th film or not, because 'Bala Ramayanam' may have to be included. For me, it is just a coincidence that what has come to be referred to as my 25th film is with Sukumar.

As for promoting the film in this way, it is always good to let the audience know what is in store. My experience tells me that it is not wise to cheat the audience.. You can't say one thing and show another.. If you tell them the truth, they will be happy and come prepared.

You have been all praises for Sukumar. What is the reason?

We shot in London for weeks and I could see how much Sukumar works hard. After a taxing schedule, he would work for just two hours and be ready for the next day's work. He is normal again... He never complains. His brain is constantly thinking about the scenes, about the execution.

He excites you every single day.. That used to make me happy and prod me to give better performance. That is why, even if you find flaws here and there in his film, you never trash it.. Even a flop film of his earns respect.

Sukumar's heroes are known to have some 'tikka'. Is your character alike in 'NP'?

Sorry 'andi', I have no 'tikka' in this film (laughs). I think Mahesh had no 'tikka' in 'Nenokkadine'. Chala brahmandanga untaru ayana aa cinema lo. Selfishness yeah, I have. I am selfish about working for my father's aim. But I have no madness.. I am playing the most clear-headed male lead..

NP is a simple, plain story, which deals with a lot of emotions.. There is a mind game, which can be understood by all kinds of audience. It has nothing to do about BO collections. The film developed when Sukumar went through emotional trauma at his father's death.

You body language has been changing over the films, right from Adurs to Temper. How different are you in NP?

Everything has been absolutely my director's choice. In NP, right from voice, everything is different. You will find me talk very normally and in low voice, just as two people sitting next to each other would. Saradaga matladukuntaru characters.

Sukumar has taken so much care about everything because whatever may be the emotion, it shows on my face very easily. He took care about every detail, right from the movement of eyebrows. He used to come to me and say 'No, don't give it work'. Sometimes he would tell me how much or whether I should blink. I would think, 'Is it so necessary to be this particular?' But his passion increased my performance.

Take the example of two characters, Ravana and Rama. When Jagapathi Babu garu and I'm in a frame, it's like two contrasting persons are there.

NP won't have mass masala stuff. You come across as a soft-spoken person. What about targeting the mass audience?

Please don't mind me saying this: I don't see any mass and class distinctions. Even now, I will whistle to a scene if I like the hero's dialogue when I'm to a multiplex. Oka arupu arustanu.

It is not like if the hero is loud, he is orienting himself toward mass audience and if he is soft, he is for class audience. Sometimes, we have to go beyond their expectations. If we know what they expect, there will be no flops at all. Pattindella bangarame inka. But that will never happen.. All that we can do is put in a genuine effort so that the audience appreciates us.

There have been many films portraying father-son relationship. How different is NP from all those?

I wouldn't tell it's a new story. The screenplay is new. The backdrop is different, the dialogues are fresh.. The crux lies in how the son accomplishes his father's dream. The last 40 minutes is where the film comes to a conclusion.

Tell us about your dances.

I'm slowly changing my style. It started with Temper. I don't want to do 'deyyam' dance for all the six songs anymore. Narakam choostunna. It was possible up to 25 years. Now I have a son (laughs). Will I be able to do Nachore steps in my late 30s? No. Naa valla kadu andi.. I'm bored doing huge steps for all the songs. Let me give respect to the songs. I will groove for Follow Follow in NP.

What all happened while shooting for the climax?

It is a very emotional scene. When Sukumar was narrating the scene, sobbing had begun within me. Sukumar was sobbing too, already. A third person too started crying. It was our DoP. When I did the scene, I had no clue what I did for 20 minutes. I broke down and Rajendra Prasad garu was telling me, "Calm down."