When we started work on 'Baahubali,' my sheer aim was to be able to live up to the imagination that Rajamouli sir had in mind. As an actor, my intention was to bring up 'Baahubali' live on screen for the audiences. I never even expected in my wildest of dreams that the film would grow on to become a phenomenon of sorts.
'Baahubali' has brought so much name and fame to our industry. And if given a chance to work with Rajamouli, who would say no? I hope to work with him. You never know, maybe my 151st or 152nd film.
I think the fact that Rajamouli sir wrote the character of 'Baahubali' for me has been the biggest compliment in itself.
I have my strong faith, respect, and belief in Rajamouli sir. The fact that he believed I could play 'Baahubali' was huge for me.
'Baahubali' was a film that was never done before. Rajamouli sir was my biggest inspiration because he lives in the smallest house and drives the smallest cars, but he makes the biggest films ever. He taught me the art of analysing your own strengths, and I take inspiration from him.
If Rajamouli is the brain and heart of 'Baahubali,' the producers are its skeleton, holding everything together, and the fans are the blood. Rajamouli deserves all the laurels, but he's so modest that he diverts all of it towards his team.
I will die trying to do another 'Baahubali' kind of film. It's not a film that can be easily replicated. I believe only Rajamouli has the experience and vision to handle projects on such scale.
'Baahubali' has definitely increased hopes for a lot of regional filmmakers. After all, what I have learnt is that it only takes one 'Baahubali' to enter into the audience's hearts and cross the boundaries.
I was just lucky to be a part of this phenomenon of Indian cinema. Perhaps no other film can ever match the magic and awe of 'Baahubali.'
'Baahubali' team is not after numbers. If we would have been number guys, we would have never made a film with such a huge budget. We just wanted to make the biggest war film of this country, but what it has achieved is amazing.
'Baahubali's success augurs well for the Telugu film industry as a whole. It has opened up new markets.
If needed, I would have even given seven years of my life for 'Baahubali,' as such characters are rare to play in a lifetime for any actor. I consider myself very fortunate and lucky for it.
Direction is closest to my heart. I may run out of work as an actor as I get older, but I can work as a director even if I live up to be 90. I promised myself that I will direct a film every three years.
As an actor, 'Baahubali' has given me so much that I can't explain in words.
No director can ever deliver what's on his or her mind totally, but 'Baahubali-2' is the closest I can get in executing what I had envisaged onto the celluloid.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would become a constant topic for national television and radio shows - never mind mentioned by some of the country's most respected journalists.
'Baahubali' was really the film that broke most barriers of what regional cinema can do nationally.