Is it possible to make a film in this way, NTR had wondered when he watched Simha. He immediately called up Alexander Vallabha and said that he will act in his film if it is directed by Boyapati Srinu. Srinu lapped up the opportunity to direct another Nandamuri and narrated a good 10 scripts. The eleventh script, in fact, was the one NTR found the script with a difference, with the potential to become a mass blockbuster. Badra, Tulasi and Simha, all the three were hits.

It may be farfetched to buy into the sky high expectations of NTR's fans, who hope that Dammu will be as big a hit as Simhadri, but it is true that Dammu has been the most popular NTR release in years. Set to hit the screens in a record number of theatres (it is a foregone conclusion) on April 27, the film sees NTR as Raja Vasi Reddy. As someone who swears by non-violence, forced by the circumstances, he takes to arms, with his moustache twirled up.

Whether Dammu will be a bigger hit than Racha this summer, only time will tell. One only hopes that the panegyrics on the 'Rooler' will not sound indulgent and over-the-top.

Listen to Dammu Songs on Raaga.com