Not many know that Merlapaka Gandhi had first approached Sushanth with the script of 'Express Raja'. Although Sushanth okayed the script, creative (or is it moral?) differences arose between Sushanth and Gandhi over a dog episode from the movie (what this episode is, we will know only after the film releases). In the event, Sushanth called it quits and in came Sharwanand.

In the past, a film which one hero could not do for some reason or the other, and which some other hero latched on to, have turned out to be big hits. It is not common to common across such examples in Tollywood, Kollywood, and even Bollywood.

Come Jan 14, it will be clear as to whether 'Express Raja' will join this league. Will Sushanth's loss be Sharwanand's gain? To be sure, the sentiment is not one but more than one. The title itself has the strength of sentiment going for it. 'Raja' is Sharwa's luck (read 'Run Raja Run') and 'Express' is Merlapaka's luck (read 'Venkatadri Express').