Mega Power Star Ram Charan takes us through the journey of 'Acharya' and how it all began. Ahead of the socio-political actioner's release on April 29, he says that working with his father, Megastar Chiranjeevi, is a bonus that has benefitted the film. He is all praise for Koratala Siva's vision.

The 'RRR' actor also throws light on the phenomenon of pan-Indian cinema, possible collaboration with Pawan Kalyan, and more.

Highlights:

I entered 'Acharya' purely as a producer at the start. I didn't imagine that I would have a role in it. Then I was told a 15-minute cameo would be there in the movie alongside Pooja Hegde. Slowly, it became a 40-minute one. It was kind of Rajamouli garu to allow me to straddle both 'Acharya' and 'RRR'.

My discussions with Koratala Siva garu started during the making of 'Rangasthalam'. He came to me before 'RRR' happened. He gave me the freedom to prioritize 'RRR' because he felt that 'RRR' should get the first priority. I conveyed the same to Rajamouli garu.

Acharya's story demanded that I play Siddha. I don't know whether Mahesh Babu was an option for the character at one stage. I absolutely had no idea because I was too busy doing 'RRR' at that time.

I and Siva garu became friends over the years. Doing a film only strengthened our bond.

The characterizations of Acharya and Siddha are totally different. The former is a fighter, while the latter is wedded to non-violence. But both believe in Dharma. Their means are different, their goal is one. Siddha never loses his cool unless Dharma is subverted.

Alluri in 'RRR' and Siddha in 'Acharya' are totally different because of the way they have been written. The writers of the film wrote the characters to the T. The beautiful detailing made my work easy.

I got to observe my father closely for the 25 days during which I shot 'Acharya' with him. We spent days and nights during the Meredumilli schedule. We used to put on the make-up together. I would feel intimidated at times as an actor. But he gave me my space as a co-star. He wouldn't school me. He would be patient and let me play the character at my own pace even if it meant me making some mistakes.

'Acharya' is not about one character being a senior and the other one being a junior. Acharya and Siddha would have clicked with the audience even if any other two actors played them. The fact that I and he (Chiranjeevi) are son and father (in real life) is just a bonus. The elevation shots in the film are organic, including the double cheetah shot. The script was written in a strong manner. I had to portray the character. I had to put in some effort to understand Siddha, the character.

It took me 13 years to bag a film with my father. It's up to directors to think of a film where I and he have full-fledged roles. Such things don't happen if we sit and design something with a certain purpose in mind.

'RRR' was released in March and 'Acharya' is releasing in a month's time. The intervening time is too short for us to work on dubbing 'Acharya' in Hindi. Above all, Koratala Siva garu has always intended 'Acharya' to be a southern movie first. Dubbing works can't be hurried through. We can do dubbing works at the pace the job deserves. I can say that 'RRR' was my film but 'Acharya' is Nanna garu's film. 'Acharya' will be dubbed in Hindi later.

I believe in doing what I feel is right in terms of acting. How it gets defined or described is not in my hands.

Pooja Hegde is a brilliant actress. Her dance in 'Arabic Kuthu' in 'Beast' is beautiful. She is a busy actress across languages.

I played a role in setting up 'Acharya'. It was me who brought in Nanna garu. But I owe it to my fellow producer Niranjan Reddy garu, who executed the project. I could focus on 'RRR' in peace because of him and my Line Producers. 'Acharya' was supposed to be produced only by me. 'RRR' meant that I couldn't divide my time between the two films in a major way as a producer of 'Acharya'. But 'Acharya' is OUR film, which is why I and Nanna garu didn't charge a penny as fee.

I will produce films only if great scripts like 'Sye Raa' and 'Acharya' come our way. I and Nanna garu are ready to do them for free and invest monies in the production budget.

I feel more responsible as an actor after 'RRR'. More than quantity, quality will be prioritized. It's a great source of relief that we could complete 'RRR' amid the pandemic.

My mother is most satisfied. As a wife, she is proud of her husband. 'Acharya' is the kind of collaboration we have waited for several years. My grandmother is also proud of the project.

There are proposals for my collaboration with Pawan Kalyan garu as a producer. He has become busy of late.

I am happy that Shankar garu's movie has been shot at a fast pace. Sixty days of production works are over already. I have an IAS officer's look and other looks as well. You have seen the leaked looks. When you have to don so many get-ups, it's not easy to juggle projects. My film with Gowtam Tinnanuri will follow RC15. He is a storyteller who has great conviction. Cricket was a sub-plot in 'Jersey'. I gave him complete leeway to think up a story for him as per his conviction.

I am not against doing a straight Hindi film. Everything is up to what comes my way. I ask my directors not to throw options at me. If their conviction says something will suit me, I encourage them to pitch the idea. 'Orange' didn't click with the audience but I like the film to this day.

The beginning and end of the year are when I put on the 'Mala' (referring to the Ayyappa Deeksha). This time, I waited for 'RRR' to happen before going for the Deeksha.

It is true that southern film stars have reached the next level and it makes me proud. I am proud to be active (during the pan-Indian cinema era). There was a time when people were talking only about Bollywood stars like Raj Kapoor garu and Amitabh garu.