Ahead of the release of 'DevaDas' on Sept 27, Akkineni Nagarjuna talks about the movie, its nature and more. He says that writing multi-starrers should be easy in a certain way. Catch him talk about feeling young and more.

You are playing a don for the first time in years. How was the experience?

Although I am playing a don in the film, there are no typical scenes like settlement issues. Much of the film is about the friendship between Deva (Nag) and Dasu (Nani). Deva loves the character played by Aakanksha Singh, but he fails to build a rapport with her for years. It's Dasu who brings them together.

What's your character like?

Deva has no friends. He goes to Dasu, the doctor, for some treatment. That's how the friendship develops between them. Deva is someone who keeps a smile on his face regardless of the tough times he goes through.

What kind of entertainment can we expect from the movie?

The film has 'Munnabhai MBBS' kind of comedy. It gives no message. It's all entertainment. The mass vibes in the songs are something the audience will love. It will make you smile. It's not preachy. It's full of life and energy.

A writer from Mumbai had approached me two years ago with this story. The story went to different directors. Many writers have penned the script over more than a year.

Why are you doing films like 'Raju Gari Gadhi-2' and 'DevaDas' all of a sudden?

At this age, an actor will find it difficult to find stories written exclusively for him. Moreover, I want to try different films. My film with Dhanush is a multi-starrer (Telugu-Tamil bilingual). 'Brahmastra' in Hindi is another multi-starrer.

Would you say multi-starrers are difficult but safer?

It's not like multi-starrers are sure-shot hits. Some of them have flopped. But since there are many characters in a multi-starrer, there is greater scope for entertainment. When two stars act together, expectations would be high. For example, in the case of 'DevaDas', Nani is a star in his own right. Individual pressure comes down but combined pressure goes up.

Why not a multi-starrer with the likes of Balakrishna?

If two stars of the same age (of Nag's age) do a film, it would be boring. Critics will say that it's an old people's film. (Laughs). That said, I have not crossed the age of 25 in my mind.

It's an interesting statement about your age. Please elaborate.

I see myself as belonging to the same age as Nani. I deal with Akhil and Naga Chaitanya by thinking like them! This has been going on for 30 years. It's all in the mind. The minute you start thinking about your age, you will feel lethargic. In my mind, I am younger than my sons.

Tell us about your association with Vyjayanthi Movies.

I have done five films so far with Vyjayanthi Movies. I remember well what happened when Sridevi's name was suggested for 'Akhari Poratam'. I was scared because she was very popular and 'Mr. India' had released just then. I was not a star at that time. Ashwini Dutt garu cleverly went to my father and convinced him that I should act opposite Sridevi. Father told me if I act with her, my popularity, too, will go up.

Have you been approached for any biopic?

They have, but it's not Nanna garu's biopic. I was approached to play the secretary to Sardar Vallabhai Patel in a Netflix web series. This secretary goes to the rulers of princely states to sign on the accession papers. It's a beautifully-written series. I couldn't do it for want of dates.

When is the Karan Johar-Akhil film happening?

Karan Johar has a liking for Akhil. They are good friends. Two years back itself, Karan wanted to make a film with Akhil. I asked my son to do a film in Telugu before doing one in Hindi. But discussions didn't go any further. I have asked Karan not to be in a hurry to introduce Akhil in Hindi.

What about 'Bangarraju' and a film with Rahul Ravindran?

The scripts of these two projects are going on. I have to see which one will fall into place first. 'Manmathudu-2' is not the title of my film with Rahul. We have registered the title and it could go to Naga Chaitanya or Akhil or come back to me.