Dasara star Nani calls SS Rajamouli the brand ambassador of big-screen entertainment

Masses or classes, S S Rajamouli's hold on audience transcends barriers, says actor Nani, who describes "RRR" director as ultimate "brand ambassador" of big-screen entertainment.

While phemenal response to "RRR" may have made Rajamouli a force to reckon with internationally, actor said he is t surprised by world cinema circuit embracing master filmmaker with open arms.

Nani collaborated with director on 2012 Telugu-Tamil sleeper h it "Eega", better kwn as "Makkhi" to Hindi-speaking audiences.

"His vision is something else for big screen entertainment, re is or brand ambassador, who can really... entire atrical experience should thank Rajamouli sir because he is one who believes in big screen entertainment,” 39-year-old actor told PTI in an interview here.

Popular Telugu song "Naatu Naatu", composed by M M Keeravaani and penned by Chandrabose, earlier this month won Best Original Song Oscar, making "RRR" first Indian production to bring home golden statuette in category. It was third major international recognition for song after Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award wins.

Upon its March 2022 release "RRR", a fictional action epic inspired by real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR), emerged as a massive box office draw with reported worldwide earnings of Rs 1,200 crore.

When it comes to having a finger on pulse of viewers, Nani said, Rajamouli's acumen is unparalleled.

"He does it so well that it crosses langu barriers, countries, or it doesn't have limitation of audience of this or that kind... re is a multiplex or single-screen audience, masses and classes... All of m rush to atres when it is his film. His eye for understanding pulse of audience is on a different level altoger," he added.

Hyderabad-born star recalled how he was an upcoming actor when he worked on fantasy action film "Eega" ( Fly).

In 2012 film, Nani's character reincarnates as a fly to avenge his murder at hands of Sudeep (Kichcha Sudeepa) and protect his love interest Bindu, played by Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

"I had done five films and he (Rajamouli) saw some potential. When he was doing 'Makkhi', it was t a star film or anything like that where he (his character) is a star from beginning to end," Nani, also kwn for blockbusters such as "Ashta Chamma", "Gentleman", and "Jersey", said.

Rajamouli needed "a young hero", he said, adding that he would get "40 minutes of " in "Eega", which had a runtime of 2.23 hours.

"He wanted people to like him and n once he went, he wanted people to empathise with fly, thinking this guy is back. And that's how y approached story and rest is history," actor reminisced.

Nani described "Eega" as film that made him a "pan-India" actor.

"It ('Eega') introduced me to everyone outside Telugu states. If I was kwn n, that was beginning. That was first time a lot of people heard about me or knew about me... through 'Makkhi'. So, in a way, that connection (with Rajamouli) started from re ," he said.

actor is awaiting release of his first pan-India film "Dasara", scheduled to hit screens Thursday. Set in a vill situated in Singareni Coal Mines in Peddapalli district of Telangana, film is directed by debutant Srikanth Odela and will be released in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.

Nani is currently working on his 30th film, which he described as a "heartwarming tale about a far and daughter". It is directed by debutant director Shouryuv, and also stars "Sita Ramam" star Mrunal Thakur.