Life has changed overnight for Kalyan Ram.

The tame, diffident man of pre-Athanokkade days is now not to be seen in the confident, composed post-Athanokkade Kalyan Ram.

And it is all because of the one word success. Having managed to achieve that, his world is lot more rosy.

The man's confidence was all there to see in the success meet that he addressed in Hyderabad recently.

His eyes, those windows to the soul, radiated fulfilled happiness.

His happiness is now double fold as industry bigwigs and the names that Kalyan Ram grew up idolizing have called him to offer their congratulations.

Chiru, Kalyan Ram said, was the first to ring up and passed on his appreciation. Others like Nags, Balaya and Mohan Babu have wished him well.

More than anything else, he said, the film's success is an apt reward for hard work and perseverance. A point that was repeatedly stressed by everyone connected with the film.

Brahmanandam said Kalyan Ram took lot of effort and risks and they had paid off.

Kalyan said that after hearing about the film's success his father, Harikrishna, was visibly moved. I saw teardrops in my father's eyes, said an emotional Kalyan.

If that is not enough, he has also sold the film's Tamil rights to actor Vijay who has a penchant for remaking Telugu hits.

Satisfying in all respects for Kalyan.