It was a proud day for us when we got Rajamouli on board to interact with IG contest winners. True to his clear style, the celebrated director patiently answered many intelligent questions. The participants, who have been long-time visitors of IG, put to him interesting questions.

The questions ranged from why he chose a fly as the main character to what made him use Tagubothu Ramesh's character. When Janardhana Maharshi talked about the funny idea, he suggested that someone like Ravi Teja or Karthi be used. However, Rajamouli went for a comedian lest a hero's character spoils the show.

Saying that Trivikram and Sukumar are his favourite directors for the kind of films they make, Rajamouli advised wannabe filmmakers to do what they like instead of going with the wind. "Take ownership for what you do", is his message.

From the interaction, it was clear that Rajamouli comes with, above all, a winner's attitude. "Emotions should touch me to be inspired to make a movie", was his answer. He does not make movies to prove a point. Rather, he should feel strong about a point in the story.

To a question on the substance of his films, he said that the "low points" are used as a build-up to raise the film to a new peak.

He had said in the beginning not to ask about his forthcoming movie and whether he will work with Mahesh Babu or Pawan Kalyan. He talked about a funny scene in Eega that was chopped off during the editing. He has watched the film in bits and pieces some 1000-1500 times so far! After the euphoria slides away, he might realise some flaws, he says.

A perfectionist, Rajamouli is not satisfied with his product. He was not treated fairly when he was making this film. Do you know what his car driver commented about him in his absence? "Ye Ravi Teja tho no cinema teeyakunda, Eega tho, Doma tho enti? Aayanaku buddhi ledu, meekaina telivi undali kada", the driver said to Sai Korrapati.

Well, he stuck to his guns and brought a classic in its own right. He never knew that he was making one.

The rest is history.

We thank Rajamouli for the time he spent with our patrons. We shall come up with more and more programmes of this kind in the future too. Stay tuned!