The pre-release event of 'Winner', held yesterday in Hyderabad, saw the attendance of the movie's cast and crew members.

Speaking on the occasion, Sai Dharam Tej said that the producers had spent without comprising on quality. "When I was first given the story narration, I wondered how much the budget could be. While I liked the story, I was not sure whether the high budget is worth it for me. But the producers never thought like that. They were bothered neither about my market or the cost. For their efforts and guts, I hope 'Winner' does very well. I will never forget the love shown by Gopi 'anna' and Chota (K Naidu) 'mama'. Thaman has given me a super hit album. I thank Mahesh Babu garu, Anirudh, Ravi Teja, Murugadoss and Samantha for releasing each of the songs. Rakul is very hard-working. This is my first movie with her," he said.

Further recalling an anecdote involving Pawan Kalyan, Teju said, "Kalyan 'mamayya' once told me that awards and rewards come and go, but what counts is who is there with you when you fail. Even though my last film didn't do well, my fans have supported me. I have got the love of Mega fans. I love my mother for introducing to me the taste of victory and defeat."

Naga Babu said, "Sai Dharam Tej is a lovable 'menalludu' in our family. I like him very much. We needn't talk about his acting and energy levels. What I like the most about him is his love for his mother. He doesn't know how to lie. As a child, he used to get beaten up for not telling lies!"

Gopichand Malineni said, "Working with Teju felt like working with own brother. Watching him on the monitor felt like directing Chiranjeevi garu and Pawan Kalyan garu. Teju is the director's hero. He has done several risky shots with horses. He would fall down, but he would immediately start working. In 'Winner', he has gone to the next level as an actor. This is my second film with Rakul. She is most dedicated like Anushka."

SS Thaman said, "Teju and I play cricket. Dhoni got out for a duck in his debut match. In the next match, he scored 148 runs. In the same way, our (Thaman and Teju) first film was a dampener, but our second film ('Winner') is going to be a super hit. Composing the songs for this movie, Megastar, Power Star, Stylish Star, Mega Powerstar came to my mind. All the films ('Bodyguard', 'Balupu', 'Pandaga Chesko'I have done with Gopichand have been hits. When I was going through a lean patch, he told me, 'Bava.. Nee balupu choopinchu' and offered me a film."

Abburi Ravi said, "This film tells it's okay to set aside prestige issues when it comes to relations."

Rakul said, "My first film with Gopichand, 'Pandaga Chesko', was a big hit. Although Teju hails from a big film family, he is very simple. I have known him even before this film happened. Thaman may have forgotten to talk about me, but I won't. He is really talented."