Actor Mahesh Babu had a very amazing year professionally, with his movie Bharat Ane Nenu turning out to be a blockbuster. And it seems like this iconic Telugu actor has achieved it all.
2018 was your year again. Your movie Bharat Ane Nenu turned out to be a major success. Your thoughts?
I am very happy with the success of Bharat Ane Nenu. While working on the project I was very confident that my director, Koratala Siva, was making something big. Impactful storytelling deserves to get its due credit and I am grateful that it did. The movie’s success just goes to show cinema is much more than just entertainment.
The film made a very pointed and piercing comment on the corruption in politics. Is this a step towards politics for you?
Acting is my first and last passion and I will always be an actor. I don’t understand politics; I don’t think I can ever be a part of it. I’m happy in my space and I really love what I do.
After Bharat Ane Nenu, Nota and Sarkar also tackled the same theme of an NRI man battling Indian politics. Are you happy to have started a trend?
I don’t know if Bharat Ane Nenu started that trend. I only think that certain stories must be told, must be heard and it should benefit the society. If other films are also made with similar intentions, then nothing like it.
Looking back at 2018, what would you say are the highlights of the year?
For me it was definitely great films that I thoroughly enjoyed watching. With Bharat Ane Nenu, it was a good year for me also. Great storytelling stole the show in 2018, that’s the highlight and that should be the case every year.
What’s in store in 2019?
2019 will see the release of Maharshi. It’s a summer release. It’s another great script and I am excited about the movie. They loved my character Bharat in 2018 and I am confident they will love Rishi in 2019. These are two completely different characters. I am aiming to combine social relevance to cinematic entertainment. But I’ve nothing against doing films that are purely for entertainment.
