As Akkineni Nagarjuna celebrates his birthday on August 29, he indulges in a free-wheeling chat with the media. Saying that he is contented, Nag is honest when he confesses to having committed mistakes in the past. Read him talk about 'Raju Gari Gadhi-2', Akhil's second movie, 'Yuddham Sharanam', doing bilinguals, how he feels about NTR and Rana's TV shows, and more.

On 'Raju Gari Gadhi-2':

The entire shoot is over. Just a day's shoot is left. Once Vennela Kishore is free, it will be shot. I dub for a movie only when I am satisfied with the product. And I am happy with the way the film has shaped up.

The movie is not a horror in the sense that an 'Exorcist' is. It's thriller and a comedy, too. And the story has no link whatsoever with 'Raju Gari Gadhi'. Only the genre is the same.

Ohmkar is a perfectionist. He would take care of even trivial things like strands of hair falling down on the forehead.

On playing a mentalist:

I have met 2-3 mentalists before playing the role. I know a mentalist who can tell what is the word in your mind after you answer his questions. There is no magic. It's extra-sensory power.

Our film gives a scientific explanation of the powers that mentalists are known to possess.

My character has no relation with Samantha's character, but the entire drama is between the two characters that we play.

On 'Hello!' & its promotion:

'Hello!' is a love story with action. The hero (played by Akhil) keeps waiting for that one word 'Hello!' from his lover. The title was my idea. Usually, most of such creative thoughts come to my mind between 6 to 6:30 in the morning. (Smiles)

Kalyani was chosen because Vikram Kumar was looking for a fresh face. We needed someone fresh like Girija ('Gitanjali') and Samantha ('Ye Maya Chesave').

Actually, I wanted to start the 'Hello!' promotional video with NTR garu saying the word. But we couldn't find him saying that word in any video. So, we approached Tarak.

'Prema' & pressure go hand in hand:

'Hello!' is a complicated project in the sense that many locations are involved, the budget is high, etc. Of course, the budget is fully justified.

People ask me if I am feeling any pressure (with respect to Akhil's second movie). Where there is love, there is pressure. (Smiles).

On doing 'Bangarraju':

Kalyan Krishna has narrated a line to me. But it's not to my full liking. I haven't yet decided as to which film to do after 'RGG-2'.

On doing bilinguals:

Bilinguals haven't worked for me. They didn't go well for the half-a-dozen or so times that they happened to me. A director usually can be fluent with respect to one language only. So, he tends to take the film that way.

On doing historicals:

I have liked the First Look of 'Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy'. I will definitely do such films if something very good is offered.

On 'Yuddham Sharanam':

It's like a mind game. Social media is a weapon that can be used to bring down a big shot. I have seen some scenes and the film is very good.

On Tollywood bettering Bollywood this year:

Films like 'Baahubali' don't happen every year. It's a phenomenon. Look at the amount of time and effort they put in. Aamir Khan once said that although he likes to do a mythological based on Mahabharatha, he might not do as it would take 5 years or so. But Rajamouli and Prabhas have put in those many years. And it paid off.

On 'Arjun Reddy' & expletives in movies:

I have not watched the movie. But the use of expletives is not new. Hindi movies have been doing it. When they (people) use such words in day-to-day life, objecting to expletives in movies is hypocritical.

On Chaitanya-Samantha's wedding:

The wedding will be held on Oct 6 in Goa. It will be a very private affair. I am just a guest to the ceremony. I have been asked to simply sign the cheque and do nothing else. (Laughs). It will be held as per Hindu and Christian rituals.

The reception will be held as per my planning. We haven't yet decided on the date.

On NTR & Rana's shows:

I have seen a couple of episodes of Bigg Boss. The way Tarak is behaving on the show, it's the way you will find him outside.

Rana's 'No. 1 Yaari' is very good. They have asked me to be on the show, but the thing is, it will get serious if someone not his (Rana's) age is the guest. Freeze aipotaru.

On the love of fans:

Whenever I am down, I get calls from some of the fans. It makes me feel better. I don't know how they come to know about it. Maybe it's telepathic. When Nanna garu was alive, 'avakai pacchalu', sweets, etc would be given to him by fans. Now that he is no more, they are being given to me. (Smiles)