Naga Chaitanya awaits the release of 'Shailaja Reddy Alludu' on Sept 13. In this interview, he talks about the film, working with Maruthi, future plans as a producer and more.

That's how it all started

When I was doing 'Premam' with Sitara Entertainments, Maruthi garu was doing 'Babu Bangaram' with the same banner. Since then, I have had good rapport with Maruthi garu. After 'Babu Bangaram', Maruthi garu went on to do 'Mahanubhavudu' with Sharwanand because he had already committed to that. And 'SRA' could happen only after that.

New body language

In 'SRA', you will see me in a new body language. In Maruthi garu's movies, characters are expressive and energetic. With 'Rarandoi Veduka Chuddam', I have come close to the audience. I felt that doing a film like 'SRA' will draw me further closer to them.

A cool role for me

It's true that Maruthi garu's heroes have some or the disorder, more often than not. But in 'SRA', I am playing a cool character. It's a family entertainer.

Sandwiched by egoistic characters

Everybody has a certain amount of ego. But it shouldn't be too much. If not, people around us will be put to inconvenience. In 'SRA', the important characters around me are too egoistic. How the hero sustains himself amidst them is what is interesting. How ego can affect human relations is to be watched. We have also shown it as a message.

Story-driven title

We never had reservations about the title. The title is what the story wanted. This is an emotional story involving an aunt and an 'Alludu'.

I was nervous before

I love the films that were made in the combination of Nanna (Nagarjuna) and Ramya Krishna. I must have watched 'Hello Brother' something like 30-40 times. I was nervous to act with Ramya garu in the beginning. She is a very supportive actor. I am happy to have got to share screen space with her. There is a dialogue-heavy scene between me and Ramya garu in the second half. The last 30-40 minutes of the movie is highly impressive.

A producer with taste

Chinababu garu has a good sense of judgment. If he doesn't like something, he would say that the film should be reshot. The success of a film is the burden of everybody, not just the director.

'SRA' vs 'U Turn'

We both are confident that the two films will do great because they belong to different genres. Moreover, it's a public holiday on Vinayaka Chavithi. They will find their audiences.

Content is king

The audience are watching only content-strong movies. 'SRA' has got a strong content and is also rich in terms of nativity, especially the second half.

No threat whatsoever

Vijay Deverakonda has proved himself with 'Arjun Reddy' and 'Geetha Govindam'. Every actor wants to do new things. It's not like anybody is threatened by some or the other actor. One has to keep working hard.

Plans as a producer

'Chi La Sow' has proven to be a success. We are very happy with Sushanth. Should good stories come my way, I will support any film even if they don't feature heroes from my family. For me to do films like 'Arjun Reddy' and 'RX 100' as an actor, it will take time.

Upcoming projects, releases

'Savyasachi' is all done but for one song. It's a November release. My film with Samantha and Shiva Nirvana will go on the floors early next month. It's a coming-of-age love story which revolves around a couple. 'Venky Mama', too, will go on the floors in October. Rahul Ravindran is readying a story for Nanna. It has to be seen what he will say about the story. Nanna has been planning a movie with me and Akhil. If everything goes well, it will be there.