For his rivals, Nagarjuna has been something of a battering ram. Now he is becoming a bhakta of Ram.

Appropriately, the much-talked about Bhakta Ramadasu, starring Nagarjuna, was launched with solemnity on the day before Rama Navami.

And even more appropriate, but one most unlikely for a film's launch, was the venue: The Sita Rama temple in Jubilee Hills.

As opposed to gaiety, piety was the operative mood. And Nagarjuna, otherwise looking debonair with a trendy hair-do, spoke in mellow tones.

He said that during the making of Annamaya he used to do regular pujas to Lord Venkateswara. "Now that I am working on Sri Ramadasu, I will visit Bhadrachalam and perform pujas there. I am blessed that I am getting to do such kind of roles."

The same team ---Nags, K Raghavendra Rao, Keeravani, JK Bharavi that did Annamaya --- is joining hands for Bhakta Ramadasu. Konda Krishnamraju will produce this film for Aditya productions.

Writer JK Bharavi said he was very happy to have penned Annamayya, then Manjunatha and now Bhakta Ramadasu. Bharavi and others met the 9th generation descendants from Ramadasu family and also discussed with historians and pundits to write the script.

Raghavendra Rao and Keeravani started the music sittings from yesterday in Bhadrachalam. Regular shooting will start in June. Few sets are being planned for the film. Rest of the film will be pictured in Bhadrachalam and Hyderabad. Bapu will sketch the character of Ramadasu. Around 95% of the songs will be Ramadasu keertanas in the film.