I don’t think people will take Varma’s tweets seriously

Says director Sreenu Vaitla who has become a punching bag of sorts for Mahesh Babu fans as they feel that ‘Aagadu’ is not up to the mark. “People who come with an open mind of getting entertained will definitely love the flick,” he adds

According to director Sreenu Vaitla, his actioner ‘Aagadu’ is faring well at the box-office, this despite the film opening to mixed talk. “The first three days figures are mindboggling. We have revealed the numbers to the public. It is going strong. Both the distributors and producers are content with the collections,” he says, while adding, “No screen is yet to replace the flick, a pointer which tells that it is raking in the moolah.”

Countering to criticism that the film is a mishmash of his earlier films like ‘Dhee’, ‘Dookudu’ and ‘Baadshah’, he says, “Every director has his own style and I have mine. Some recent films emulated my style and it is the same reason the audience felt that ‘Aagadu’ is a concoction of many films. If one notices the first half of the film, it’s in complete contrast to my earlier films. It worked out well. Coming to the second half I was worried that audience would miss style, hence I had to stick to the formula that paid rich dividends. People who come with an open mind of getting entertained will definitely love the flick.”

Reacting to director Ram Gopal Varma’s flurry of tweets, which took potshots at the film, he says he has immense respect towards the controversial filmmaker and that he likes him. “I don’t hold any grudge against him and neither do I think people will take his tweets seriously.” He adds, “During ‘Dookudu’ shoot I rang him to enquire whether he would be happy if I use his name in a sarcastic tone. He was okay with that. If I indeed use his name in my forthcoming films, I will definitely seek his permission before going ahead.”

The director was also criticised for including a poem that Prakash Raj has penned, in the film. He says it wasn’t ‘his way of getting back at the actor’, who opted out of the flick following creative differences with him. “I liked the poem and included it,” he laughs.

About the film laden with heavy dialogues he says he wasn’t out to prove a point, especially after his writer friend (former) Kona Venkat parted ways with him. “I’m basically a writer. ‘Aagadu’, as a script, had great scope for heavy dialogues and I had to meet it,” he informs.

He is expected to direct Ram Charan up next. When asked what kind of a project it will be, he chose to play cards close to his chest. “I’m doing a big project next, the details of which, I will be able to announce in a week. After that I’m planning to make a love story,” he says, without hinting whether he is in contention to helm the flick or not. Tinsel town is abuzz with the news that he is not in the race to direct Charan anymore. The director, meanwhile, will be celebrating his birthday today at his Hyderabad residence. “As is the custom every year, I will bring in the special day with my family.”