Ahead of the release of Fidaa`, Varun Tej is hardly tensed. In this exclusive chat with IndiaGlitz, the Mega hero talks about what is unique about Fidaa`, working with Kammula, putting behind failures and moving on, the drugs issue, and more.

What thoughts are crossing your mind ahead of the release of 'Fidaa', especially after the failure of 'Mister'?

Surprisingly, I am not tensed. I have seen both sides (hits and flops). I came out of the failure of 'Mister' rather fast. It took me just three days. I was recuperating from a severe injury I had had. On the next day of the film's release, I started working out to get back in shape. (By the way) I am someone who puts on weight if I don't do workouts.

What is that you loved about the script of Fidaa`?

Sekhar Kammula garu's characters are relatable. It's as if they are our neighbours. I am playing a very soft and lovable guy, who is career-oriented and is pursuing medicine in the US. He is a kind of guy every girl would want to have as boy friend/life partner. He is too good. He shares a strong bond with his brother.

This film will break all stereotypes, for example, the likes of 'A hero should fight', 'He should fall after a girl', 'A heroine should cry', etc.

'Fidaa' completely sticks to being a love story. It doesn't have any digressions. Opposites attract, they say. My character and Sai Pallavi's Bhanumathi are opposites and they get attracted. What problems they face later on is the crux.

That brings us to Bhanumathi and the actress playing her. Don't you think she is dominating you with respect to the audience's mind space?

I am not thinking about it at all. Definitely, she would dominate. She is a great performer. Those who watched 'Premam' as well as those who didn`t will be surprised to see her performance in 'Fidaa'. Nobody else could have done the role better than Sai Pallavi.

Did you ever meet a Banumathi in real life? Or, if you were to meet one such girl, will you marry her?

I did come across one such girl during my school days. I was not close to her. I love to listen to talkative girls. I like 'hyper' types. But Bhanumathi is too wild. I definitely won't be able to handle such a character in real life. May be I will think if I were to meet a toned down version of Bhanumathi!

Since you are said to have a taste for music, did you get involved in the music sittings?

It should depend on the director whether I get involved or not. All my directors I have worked with have an ear for music. More so, Kammula garu. So, I never got involved. In the case of 'Fidaa', I just said my opinion about whether I liked a song or not. That's all. This is by far the best album in my career. I am liking all the songs. 'Oosupodu' mirrors the stage of confusion in love. 'Hey Mister' goes with the flow. The 'mehendi' song is now very popular on Dubsmash and social media.

What was the toughest part of doing 'Fidaa'?

Since I did this movie and 'Mister' simultaneously in the beginning, transition was the hardest part. Sreenu Vaitla garu would say I was getting too subtle (due to 'Fidaa' hangover), while Kammula garu would say I was getting too hyper at times.

Dil Raju has said that 'Fidaa' will be your career best movie. Your father too has liked the movie. Your views?

I don't want to expect too much as of now. I want to be calm. If someone (Dil Raju) with vast experience is saying this, it's good.

My father feels that Kammula garu has done magic. At home, he is the best critic. My mother and sister kind of like everything that I do.

Since there are no dances and fights in 'Fidaa', do you see it as a merit or a demerit?

I like montage songs more than others. There is nothing forced in this movie. Dances would be good if big stars do it.

Kammula has seen shades of Pawan Kalyan and Chiranjeevi in your acting. Did you consciously try to do it?

Sometimes it depends on the character. Babai used to do jovial type of characters early on. Maybe, I got influenced by his style without my knowing. But I never imitate him consciously. Genes are always there. Also, I have been watching them since childhood. Kammula garu would tell me an expression or two was bordering on Babai's acting in 'Toli Prema'.

Finally, what are your thoughts on the drug scandal that has hit Tollywood? Having worked with Puri Jagannadh, what is your take on him? Do you think a few people can affect Tollywood's image?

It's not a scandal. It's just in interrogation stage. Those who have received notices have already opened up. They are saying that they never made a mistake. It would be good if they didn't do anything of that sort. Generally speaking, obviously, drug abuse (wherever it is) is not healthy.

He is a carefree and utterly positive person. He only knows how to always stay happy. I am shocked (to see his name in this connection). I, for one, never saw him (doing drugs). I know how well he takes cares of people in his life. The food he eats is what even the office boy gets to eat at his office.

As much as I love cinema and Tollywood in particular, I have seen people talking loosely about actors. For many people, celebs are a talking point. Cinema is a part of their life and this is expected. As a teenager, I observed an auto driver who would talk as he liked about an actor who was staying in a building nearby. It hurt me a lot of times.