The first step into tinsel town is crucial for any actor. This is more so for those who don't have a Godfather and who rely completely on the director. In that sense, director Mahesh Babu has proved lucky for many actors' careers.
As a co-director, it was he who gave the first break to Ramya and Rakshita. And as an independent director, he was the first to launch actresses such as Aindrita Ray, Kriti Kharbanda and Nikki Galrani. Now, the director has launched two new faces Dilip Prakash and Ashika Ranganath for Crazy Boy.
This is a come back film for Mahesh Babu after Paramashiva, released in 2014.
The film had its audio launch on Monday, graced by Darshan.
Ask Mahesh Babu how he picks talent from among the sea of aspiring actors and he says that he doesn't go with the regular auditions, of giving them lengthy dialogues or asking them to cry and laugh.
"I judge the person just from the photoshoot. That's how I have chosen all of my lead starcast, till date. I don't expect anybody to stand in front of me and read out dialogues. In case of Dilip Prakash, the lead of Crazy Boy, he doesn't come from any film background but his dedication will make him stand out," he says.
While the lead pair is new, the movie has experienced technicians. It has Shekhar Chandru's camerawork, Ravi Varma's stunts and Jessi Gift's music.
Mahesh Babu who took almost a year to complete the film hopes to release it in August.
"It is a teenage love story, which has commercial elements. The central narrative is of a love caught in an ego clash," says the director, who will plan his next soon.
"It's time I have my hands full, without a break," he says.