Allu Aravind has shared an interesting anecdote. Back in 2008 or so, the Mega producer called up Mammootty and requested him to give an ear to a script. It was a Pawan Kalyan movie and the Mollywood superstar was to be Power Star's villain in that. (Speculation is that Aravind approached the actor for 'Jalsa', whose antagonist was eventually played by Mukesh Rishi).

As soon as he was told about the nature of the character, Mammootty's ego was hurt. "Would you ask Chiranjeevi to play such a role?" Mammootty asked Aravind. "No, sir!" replied the producer, tendering an apology.

Aravind might have seen Mammootty as another Sarathkumar but Mollywood's dynamics and the thinking of noted actors there are distinct. Even Mohanlal was approached by so many filmmakers for uninteresting roles. It was not until Koratala Siva offered him 'Janatha Garage' that Mohanlal evinced interest in Tollywood.