Sai Dharam Tej, ahead of the release of 'Thikka', speaks to IndiaGlitz at length. Besides talking about the film, he fields questions on the Pawan Kalyan-Allu Arjun fans' issue, break-ups in the past, loving sports, dancing, etc.

On the subject of 'Thikka':

When Sunil anna (director Sunil Reddy) gave me the narration, I was thrilled by the fact that the entire film is stuffed within the span of a day. The title is quite apt and has no conscious reference to Power Star's punchline from 'Gabbar Singh', nor is there any other reference to him in the movie. (Teju said this on being asked).

On the premise:

I am a drunkard in the movie, and the story takes a different course when my character commits a mistake unconsciously when drunk. As the film begins, it's a break-up with Larissa Bonesi. But the proceedings are quite breezy and hilarious. The movie is not melancholic even though there is break-up element in the very premise.

On changes to the script:

Although the subject was prepared before 'Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham' and 'Supreme' released, no changes were made to it. We only increased the comedy quotient.

On how he pulled off drunkard's act:

Tagubothu Ramesh gets his drunkard's act right even though he doesn't drink himself. He says that he imbibed it by noticing his father.

On the roles of the female leads:

Larissa Bonesi is playing my love interest. On the other hand, Mannara Chopra is out to kill me because she loves me a lot.

Larissa is a very hardworking girl. She is a dedicated artist. She is playing a tough girl who quarrels with her boy friend, a romantic girl in the movie.

On why he worked with Sunil Reddy:

Not only have I known Sunil anna for man years, but also that I admire his amazing technical knowledge. Just because his previous film (Om 3D) flopped, it doesn't mean that I should have reservations about working with him. Harish Shankar had a flop in 'Ramayya Vasthavayya', but he also had a blockbuster like 'Gabbar Singh'. All my previous directors, with the sole exception of Anil Ravipudi, had had a flop before working with me, be it AS Ravikumar Chowdhary, YVS Chowdhary garu or now Sunil Reddy.

I must add that Rohin Reddy garu (producer) is a very co-operative person. We made the film within the planned budget (Teju denies there is truth in the gossip that the budget got exceeded by a big margin).

On his parents' critique and competition in Tollywood:

My parents are my biggest critics. They tell me I could have done things better. My mother, especially, doesn't want me to stop trying for betterment. That's why she criticizes me and constructively so.

No, my parents don't compare me with Chiranjeevi garu. I can't imagine being like him. My mother tells me, "You can't become like my annayya". I reply saying, I have no such unrealistic dreams either.

I don't bother myself about competition in the industry. All that I can and must do is my job.

On 'Aapanu, brother':

Pawan Kalyan garu is my mavayya. I grew up admiring my uncles. If fans shout his name, why would I say no? I would be very happy to shout along with the fans. I grew up watching my uncles, tearing my shirt off when they appeared on screen. I am here because of their blessings.

Everybody has a way of dealing with things.

On his dance moves pit against Bunny's:

I can't compare myself with Bunny. He works very, very hard. He always tries to better himself and bring out something new every time. He rehearses vigorously for every song. He is that dedicated. Neither I nor any can compare me with him.

On improving dancing skills:

Dancing skills can be improved through sheer hard work. I would quote the example of Katrina Kaif. When she was new, her dancing talent was roundly thrashed. Over time, she has grown up to be an excellent dancer. Take the song Kala Chashma, for example.

You can learn dance from anyone. In the West, elders doing folk dances are like teachers. Any body, be it a 6-year-old or a 60-year-old can teach you a dance.

On doing Chiranjeevi's 150th movie:

I am not aware of the gossip that I am doing 'Veena' step in the movie. I would feel very fortunate if I get an opportunity to appear for a brief while in his movie. By God's grace, I got the opportunity to dance with him on the occasion of CineMAA awards. I recently expressed my wish to be seen in his film, to which 'mavayya' just smiled. I don't what he means by that. (Laughs).

On getting to work with Krishna Vamsi:

The length of my role in 'Nakshatram' is something like 20-25 minutes. It's an honour to work with a director like him. For the first time, I said OK without even asking for a story narration. Even if I learn a little from his vast experience, It would be great.

As for the gossip that my character gets killed, I am clueless about it.

On his forthcoming projects:

Gopichand Malineni's film will go on the floors this month. I don't know if the title is 'Akathayi'. As for the film with Gautham Menon, it's too premature to talk about it. Besides, I am in talks for a film with Kalyan Ram.

On break-ups in real life:

I have had many break-ups so far. (Laughs). They would say that they never looked at me as a lover. I would stop them before they called me 'anna'. (Laughs). But I would never booze or get depressed when such things happened.

On what he likes in a girl:

I have never thought about it. I get connected in the course of a conversation. I never focus on beauty.

On his love for sports:

I am a complete sports freak. I will be more than happy to do a sports-based