BANGALORE: Allu Arjun, a style icon for college students in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala was calm and cool at Oakwood in UB City on Saturday. Arjun, the young and energetic hero who set the screen on fire with his performance as a romantic man in ‘Arya’ is set to tie the knot on March 26 with his fiancée Sneha Reddy.
And he has no hesitation to reveal that he too is a victim of gossips. The shooting of his latest movie ‘Bhadrinath’ has been completed and is slated for release on March 27. Here is a brief encounter with Arjun who was here to do an ad film for Seven Up. Most of his movies were dubbed in Malayalam and Tamil.
Your uncle Chiranjeevi has been maintaining a cordial relationship with Dr Rajkumar’s family. He even attended the muhurat function of Shivarajkumar’s 100th film ‘Jogaiah’. Do you have a similar relationship with Dr Rajkumar’s family?
Power Star Puneeth and I are good friends. Whenever Puneeth is in Hyderabad, having lunch or dinner at our home is a must for him. Whenever I am in Bangalore, I make it a point to meet him.
Are you familiar with Kannada movies? Do you watch Puneeth’s films?
Yes, I am familiar with Kannada movies. I have seen Puneeth’s movie ‘Jackie’. It is very good and Puneeth’s performance is excellent.
There is a rumour that producer Ramanaidu is planning to re-make the Kannada movie ‘Mylari’ in Telugu and Venkatesh is set to play the lead. Do you have any plan to act in the re-make version of ‘Jackie’?
As of now, I am focusing on my latest movie ‘Bhadrinath’. Its shooting has been completed and the director is busy with the post-production work. I think there is no plan to re-make ‘Jackie’ in Telugu.
Chiranjeevi acted in Kannada movies — ‘Sipayi’ and ‘Sri Manjunatha’ — a few years ago. Do you want to act in Kannada movies?
Why not? If a director comes forward with a good script and a producer is ready to spend money. I am open to act in Kannada films. But, the Kannada film industry is not as big as Telugu. Many producers may not be capable of paying the remuneration.
Will you compromise on your remuneration?
Who says that Kannada film industry is that small? Many movies such as ‘Jogi’, ‘Mungaaru Male’ and so on have proved that Kannada movies are second to none. There are a few films Telugu movies that were made with a small budget.
Your uncle Chiranjeevi acted as a cobbler in ‘Swayamkrushi’. He followed the script instead of letting the script follow him. Are you ready to act in similar movies?
My previous film ‘Vedam’ also belongs to that category. The director did not attempt to give much importance to my character in that film. I am ready to act in award-winning art movies if any producer or director is ready.
Recently, Chiranjeevi decided to merge Prajarajyam with Congress. What is your take on it?
I think it was a collective decision. Our families will abide by whatever decision my uncle makes. We follow his advice and we are with him.
It is said your other uncle Pavan Kalyan had expressed displeasure over Chiranjeevi’s decision to merge Prajarajyam with Congress. Do you agree or disagree with him?
My uncle Pavan Kalyan is a sober person. I don’t believe the news that my uncle was disappointed or expressed displeasure over Prajarajyam’s merger with Congress.
Do you agree with the demand for a separate Telangana state?
I am not capable of commenting on such delicate issues. However, it is the Congress high command who knows what is good and what is not for the people of Andhra Pradesh.
What is your opinion on Jaganmohan Reddy, the son of late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy?
I have no opinion about him. I have no time to think about him.
Was it your ambition to become an actor?
No, I wanted to become a graphics expert. I became an artiste by accident.