‘Mahesh Babu is equal to any top Tamil hero’

Speaking at the audio launch of 'Spyder' in Chennai, Kalaipuli S Thanu (the producer of 'Kabali' fame) said that Mahesh Babu is now an "equal competitor to the top four heroes in Tamil cinema."

Hosted by Chinmayi and Tamil actor Satish, the event saw the attendance of Vishal.  "Just Mahesh Babu's close-up shot is enough to light up the screen," the actor said in praise of the Tollywood superstar.  Vishal dubbed 'SPYder' as one of the "most anticipated Indian movies right now".

SJ Suryah, who is the film's principal antagonist, hailed Mahesh's humbleness.  "When I did 'Nani' with him, Mahesh was a superstar even then.  He has since become bigger, but he is the same humble man I knew," the director-actor said.  He said that Mahesh is a man of kindness.

'SPYder' will be as big a hit as Rajinikanth's 'Chandramukhi', Suryah added. Director AL Vijay revealed that he had written the script of 'Madrasapattinam' with Mahesh in mind.  "But the same never happened somehow," he said.

Lyricist Madhan Karky said that he never saw such a huge crowd at an audio function.

RJ Balaji, who plays a crucial role in the bilingual, revealed that he is Mahesh's friend in the movie.  "Mahesh Babu's Tamil is as fluent as that of any college boy in Chennai," Balaji said.