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In the world of survival of the fittest and the leanest that films are, he is the fittest and the leanest. His peers hope for a little charisma transplant from him. And his entire armada of female fans! Also his flair and flamboyance, and yes, that killer look. For a man sought after by his own competition, competition means nothing. "I'm happy being what I am and doing what I want to do," says Telugu heartthrob, Akkineni Nagarjuna, in a chat with K.V.S. Madhav.
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CLOSE TO 20 years, 65 films, several of them that changed the very way films are made in Telugu, the actor with a romantic image lives by the minute. "All the downfalls have been my choices, my own doing. So are the high points. Everyday is a new day and pretty exciting and I love life under the arc lights so much," enthuses Nagarjuna.
The film world is the most honest profession anyone can ever be in. "Politicians can ferry people to their meetings, but only a good film can draw people. Audiences are ruthless when a film is bad and even if we bribe them they will not watch it," he points out.
An extraordinary blend of sensitivity, a rarity on Telugu marquee, and aggressiveness, translucency and stylishness, lately he is a mellowed man playing characters of his age. All of 45 years old, but he looks much younger than all the young heroes strutting the Telugu film scene today.
Style's the man!
"Fortunately, all kinds of audiences have accepted me in the last two to three years. This has given me a kind of flexibility to be different within the set pattern of commercial cinema," explains the style icon of Telugu cinema who taught an entire Telugu generation how to dress up. He still continues to make style statements with his ensemble and not for nothing is he called the well-dressed man of Telugu tinsel ville.
A good film, he insists, is one that entertains. "People are not interested in tears and sorrows. They come to the movies to feel good and warm. As an actor and producer of commercial films in Telugu, I cannot bring Hollywood or Bollywood and plant it here. The priorities and expectations of Telugu filmgoers are distinct. Restrictions for experimentation keep changing, but the larger format remains the same. Whatever we do has to be within this formula," says the seasoned campaigner who still chose to sail against the trend and introduced several path-breaking filmmakers to Telugu cinema.
Any dream role? "I'm not looking at any. If it comes by, it is well and good. But there is no burning desire for that. I have no illusions about the film world. Things will turn out the way they are meant to be. And then, we always hope to do better."
Brightest moments:
`Shiva' was an incredible high professionally. "More so because I met my wife, Amala. `Ninne Pelladatha,' my first attempt at fulltime production, has been another high. And then, `Sisindri' where my toddler son and I bonded together on screen."
Actor's block:
"Oh yes. When it strikes, the lights go off. It can be an argument with your spouse or someone irritating you, once the block sets in you just cannot pull it off in front of the camera."
Telugu talent:
"There is no dearth of talent here. It wasn't the case a few years ago when we were merely aping Tamil cinema. The last few years have thrown up some immensely talented youngsters. I spend days listening to scripts from youngsters."
Direction?
"I won't probably."
What lies ahead?
"I don't know what I'd be doing 10 years down the line. I never look for anything. I'm not on top and I'm glad about it. As years go by, I like it here even more."
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Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
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