Mahesh Babu, who is known as the Prince Charming of Tollywood tells Shaheen Raaj in this exclusive Deepavali interview for CINE BUSTER
Mahesh Babu, the princely actor turned producer of Tollywood, even after having crossed 40 summers of his life, still looks as handsome as ever. Girls swoon over his good looking sexy demeanor. The hunky heartthrob of the female brigade is how he is often described as. Besides his dashing and debonair persona makes the fairer sex go weak in the knees every time they happen to see him in flesh & blood or even on the celluloid silver screen.
Please describe your illustrious journey from your debut film Raja Kumarudu to your latest release Spyder!
I still have a mixed feeling. On one hand it was fulfilling, satisfying, exciting, enriching, enthralling, enlightening, exhausting and to some extent even adventurous. And I was also happy, although reluctantly, doing a few Telugu films as a child artiste too. On the other hand it was also depressing, what with people around you trying to pull you down for no reasons whatsoever. In brief I would also add that like any other actor even I too have had my fair share of the ups and downs, the highs and lows including the trials and the tribulations in my journey.
Does being the son of a legendary and veteran Telugu super star Krishna prove to be a bane or a boon to you?
I would certainly not like to put it that way. As being a star – actor’s son only helped me as far as my debut film Raja Kumarudu was concerned. My launch pad did help me. But then after that I was on my own. Like all my contemporary actors I also strongly believe that only talent can succeed. I would also say that there was a huge pressure on me. My debut film Raja Kumarudu definitely was a big hit. But it was because of my father’s fans supporting it that I got this bumper opening, but my next three consecutive films just fell flat on their faces and could not stand on their own at the box office turnstiles and I had to once again prove myself with the other subsequent films of mine. So you see it all boils down to your talent.
What are your expectations from Spyder? What is Spyder all about with respect to your role in it?
This is the first time ever that I have worked simultaneously in a Telugu – Tamil bilingual like Spyder. I wouldn’t say that it’s a typical James Bond kind of spy thriller. But, it has definitely got its own elements. It is a typical A R Murugadoss kind of film, where the audiences would be sitting on the edge of their seat. Spyder for me was the most thrilling, amazing, mind blowing, super speedy and also the most difficult experience of my career. And the most difficult part was shooting for the Tamil version while also shooting simultaneously for the Telugu version of Spyder. It was the first ever time that I was shooting for a Tamil film and only I know what I went through to achieve that perfection and that finesse that I have always succeeded in displaying so often in all my Telugu films. In Spyder I have enacted the role of an Intelligence Bureau officer. It has been made on a lavish budget of approximately 120 crores. Spyder is actually based on bio -terrorism and also features actor – filmmaker S J Suryah as the antagonist and Rakul Preet Singh as the leading lady.
Like other South Indian actors Rajnikant, Kaml Haasan, Mamooty, Mohanlal, Venkatesh, Dhanush etc, why are you so reluctant to step in Bollywood?
I have no intention whatsoever to do films in Bollywood. I have enough of work in Telugu films to even last me for a life time. I will never ever do a Bollywood film, no matter how tempting the offer is.
But you have given a very contradictory version regarding this particular aspect recently to the electronic media.
I agree that I did say that I am indeed ready to star in a Bollywood film, but it all depends on the project and the director and when somebody approaches me with an exciting idea I may accept the offer. But on second thoughts I also wish to clarify that I gave that version to the electronic media on the spur of the moment to put an end to all the speculations right there & then and yes I also stand by my version given to the print media today. I really do not ever wish to get into the Bollywood rat race. I am considered as the Prince of Telugu films. Why should I prefer be a beggar in Bollywood films.
How come you have never been a part of the rumor mills as far as any kind of controversies are concerned?
I have always believed in leading a hassle free and straight forward life. The only time I fell in love with a girl (Read actress Namrata Shirodkar), I instantly got married and she will be my wife forever till death do us apart. (Laughs).
How was the experience of working with Rakul Preet Singh and A R Murgadoss?
It has been a very good experience working with Rakul Preet Singh. She has proved to be an amazing and a lovely person. In fact in all the promotional activity all over we have been talking only about her and how good she is as an actress. I feel at a loss for words to describe the dedication and the perfection of A R Murgadoss Sir.
It seems you are very much against the idea of remakes of the original language films?
It is very much true that I do not at all like the idea of remaking a film. I am definitely not into remakes. I never liked that idea and my dream was always that a Telugu film should be made only in Telugu and then everybody should talk about it. Director S S Rajamouli was the first person who helped me to achieve my dream, so I know that you can dream. That’s how I am and now with Spyder, I am coming closer to my dream.
Name your five best films as far as Telugu films are concerned!
Though I have really enjoyed working in all my Telugu films, Srimanthudu, Okkadu, Pokiri, Dookudu and now of course Spyder are my five best till date.
As a parting shot what do you want to say to your fans?
I hereby take this opportunity to thank all the organizations who have bestowed on me the National and the International awards galore. I wish to thank all my beloved fans who have always encouraged me to give off my best and a special thanks to my South fans who have bestowed on me the title of Prince.
