Your latest movie, "Businessman" is a hit. Do you think you've consolidated your position as the Queen of T-Town?
I'm extremely choosy and picky about the kind of roles I do. I've always wanted to do good cinema and that's been my sole focus. Being the 'Queen of Tollywood' is a fancy title that the people and media bestow upon you, according to their convenience. So, I don't pay much heed to that. I'll continue doing my kind of cinema and nothing changes that... not even a hit or a miss.
Three releases in 2011, but only "Mr Perfect" did well at the BO. Did the failure of your films bother you?
The year 2011 was extremely busy for me with "Mr Perfect", "Dhada" and "Veera". Yes, only "Mr Perfect" did well, while "Veera" did manage to make some money. "Dhada" of course disappointed. Look, you do feel bad when your movies don't do well at the BO, but then you get up, dust yourself and move on. It's not possible for every film of mine to be a super duper hit. I learn to take it in my stride and don't feel jittery about it. And now look, I have a "Businessman".
Puri Jagannath plans to remake "Businessman" in Hindi. Are you part of the Hindi remake as well?
As far as I know, Puri sir has not come to the casting yet. He hasn't spoken to me about it. But yes, if he does offer me the Hindi remake, I'll be more than glad to do it. As a script and as story, our film will be accepted in any language.
Now tell us about the kiss ka kissa. Everyone is talking about your lip-lock with Mahesh Babu.
There is a lot more to the story than just the lip-lock between Mahesh and me. It wasn't supposed to be something sensual. It was meant to portray the conflict between both the characters and that's how it ended up being on screen. Puri sir shot it very aesthetically and thankfully the audience has perceived it that way too. And anyway I wouldn't do anything that is overtly titillating or vulgar because I want to be able to watch my films with my family and friends.
Not too long ago, there was a spate of negative publicity surrounding you...
I wasn't bothered because it was all rubbish. I've learnt that if you're a known face, controversies tend to come up now and then. People do talk, yes. Some of it is good and some of it is utter nonsense. My family and friends knew what I was doing, so I didn't really care about the negative publicity.
So, when the whole nude photo-shoot controversy happened, why didn't you come out strongly to defend yourself?
Why should they gain publicity? I realized that if I spoke too much about it, it would only help boost the sales of the magazine. What they did was wrong and unethical and I didn't want them to gain more publicity out of it.
You debut Hindi flick, "Singham" was a blockbuster. Did it leverage your career in B-Town?
It feels great when your debut is a blockbuster. After the release of "Singham" I did get a lot of offers, but then I was already doing films in Telugu and Tamil and dates were a problem. So I had to turn down a lot of offers. To be honest, I'm in no hurry to make it big in Hindi cinema. I'm very content with my life and career right now. I love the movies that I'm doing down South. For me, it's very important to play characters that are satisfying. I just don't believe in merely being a wallflower. In fact, I'll start shooting for my Hindi film by March. I can't talk about it right now as an official announcement is yet to be made.
Now that you have a blockbuster in your kitty, will the zeroes on your pay cheque increase?
I never speak about my remuneration. Plus, I've never been demanding and money is not the biggest priority. I've always gotten more than I asked for from my father. Yes, money is essential, but it is not just riches I'm after. For me it's important to make the right decisions in life now. Money will follow.
Tell us about you and Prabhas...
Oh my God! The media will not let the Prabhas story to rest. Look, in this industry, everyone has been linked with everyone and this case too is no exception. If two people are single and the media thinks they make a good pair, link-up stories start doing the rounds. But sorry to disappoint you guys, there's nothing going on between Prabhas and me.
I guess it's too early to even talk about marriage, right?
Marriage? No chance. Where is the time, dude? I wish I had dates, I would have definitely tied the knot ! (laughs)
With whom? Prabhas?
Why Prabhas? Don't you guys have anyone else for me? He is a good friend, but not him, please.
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