Actor Ashok Galla turns 30 this Tuesday. He met the media and spoke about the performance of his debut movie 'Hero', which was released in theatres for Sankranthi this year.

In this interview, the fledgling actor also talks about what Mahesh Babu said to him after the release of his debut movie, his future plans, and more.

We are seeing you in a new look this time. What is the reason?

This look (thin hair that suggests that he had tonsured his head recently) is not for any movie. After Hero's release, I had a darshan of God in Tirumala. That's why I am looking this way.

Are you happy with the response for 'Hero'?

I am happy. The project came my way when I was looking for the right sort of project to debut with. So, this success matters to me. Director Sriram Adittya pitched the story casually while we were eating food. I liked the idea and felt that it was the kind of story I should do. I gave the nod almost immediately. I would say that 'Hero' is a new-age story. We made it as a comedy but it could have been told as a serious-minded story as well. It was exciting to tell the story in a fun-filled manner suiting Telugu film sensibilities.

As for box office performance, the film couldn't realize its fullest potential due to the peaking of the third wave just around its release date.

Your mother produced 'Hero'. How about your second movie?

It is going to be produced by some other producer. I will talk about it soon.

How did Mahesh Babu react after watching 'Hero'?

He told me he is proud of me. I don't remember what he said after that, as I was too stunned by his compliment and couldn't focus on what he said later. I grew up watching his movies. Belief in the self is what I have learned from him. I love his performance in 'Murari' the most. It's a unique film that can't be replicated.

'Hero' has been doing well on OTT as well. Isn't it?

The OTT release is like the movie's second release. I have received a greater amount of traction as an actor than when the film had released in theatres.

Is this your second birthday since you entered the film industry?

It's my third birthday. 'Hero' couldn't be completed within two years because of the pandemic. My upcoming movies will be completed fast.

You have tried comedy and dance in 'Hero'. What are your plans as an actor?

When I was training in acting, I was better at subtle or intense acting. It's just that 'Hero' happened to be a comedy. Now that I have done a full-on commercial film, I will now pick a story with some depth. Three ideas are in the pipeline. A new project will be announced in June this year.

Now that many actors are doing pan-India movies, are you interested in going pan-India?

I have started doing acting in Telugu movies. It's for my producers to decide whether they should do something with me in the future.

You are a trained actor. How did the training go?

I studied at a boarding school in Singapore. And there, the acting course was introduced to us quite early in high school. I would get to understand characters from Shakespeare's works, among others.

On Sunday, media reports mentioned your name among those who were detained after a pub raid in Hyderabad. Your family condemned those reports. Did it all shock you?

The night before the incident, I had slept off after undergoing physiotherapy. I was astounded by the number of messages on Twitter after the fake reports emerged.