Varun Tej is looking forward to the release of 'Tholi Prema' in rest of US. In this interview, he talks about his character in the movie, how it's different, and more.

The title might be drawing so many comparisons with Pawan Kalyan's 'Tholi Prema'. How different is the movie from that one? Raashi Khanna was saying that the story is entirely different.

There are many differences. Babai's 'Tholi Prema' impressed the young audiences then. And our 'Tholi Prema' will do so now. Our film delves into the story of how it's like falling in love in a tender age and how painful it's to come out of it when it doesn't work.

How did this film fall into place?

I signed up this movie even before Fidaa's release. When my sister, Niharika Konidela, was doing a web series, he helped her out in the writing department. It was she who asked me to listen to a story that Venky wanted to pitch to me.

Seeing the trailer, one feels if your character is both romantic and aggressive. What is your take?

Yes, my character is aggressive. He believes that he is right. I am jovial and at the same right rough in the movie. This is in contrast to my character in 'Fidaa', in which I played a soft-spoken character.

Releasing the film a day earlier in the US has happened for the first time since 'Shatamanam Bhavati'. Dil Raju is also happy that same thing happened with 'Happy Days'. It's great sentiment-wise. What do you say?

I am glad that the FDFS reports from the US are encouraging. A number of my friends have called me up. They are appreciating my performance.

In 'Fidaa', your character and that of Sai Pallavi reflected the thinking of many youngsters. How close is 'Tholi Prema' to reality?

Nowadays, it's commonplace for many lovers to break-up over ego issues. This film is thought-provoking on that count.

Suddenly, you seem to be picking up the right scripts. Your comments?

I am a lover of movies. I have always admired many international films. And I have wanted to see such films in Telugu. I am lapping up new ideas when they come my way.

Pawan Kalyan may not do films in future. What's your take?

It's his personal decision. It's true that it's unhappy that he won't be doing films. That said, he wants to do higher tasks. He wants to reach out to people. It takes a lot of guts to leave films when he is enjoying so much craze.