I am not cut out for commercial cinema: Nani

Chennai: Actor Nani, who is eyeing a hat-trick of hits with forthcoming Telugu release "Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha", says he never lets the pressure that comes with success bother him as he always tries to focus on delivering what is expected of him.

"I usually don't let any kind of pressure bother me. More than success, it's the pressure that comes with failure that's even more worrisome, because the scenario in the industry is such that people are writing off actors if they don't like a film," Nani told IANS.

With two back-to-back hits last year, Nani's market value has grown immensely. He believes that will only draw more audiences to the theatres.

"With the success of 'Yevade Subramanyam' and 'Bhale Magadivoy', the audience's faith in me has increased, which is a good sign," he said, adding that the success has made him realise that he is not cut out for commercial cinema.

"I have realised that I am not cut out for the regular, commercial potboilers. I know I don't have it in me to do such films. No matter whichever script I choose henceforth, I've learnt that it needs to be incorporated with entertainment, which, in my opinion, is what audiences expect from me."

"Take 'Bhale Bhale...' for instance. It made more money than a few big films that released last year," he said.

Talking about this week's release "Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha", Nani said he has never felt so positive and confident before the release of any of his films.

"When director Hanu Raghavapudi pitched the idea, I found it to be very unique, simply because it's not a routine film, though it has all the quintessential elements of a crowd-pleaser. It has all the commercial trappings of a typical Telugu film, yet it has something that makes it different and that's what got me excited in the first place," he said.

"Usually, I get the jitters before a release and my whole system crashes. I can barely eat or sleep. This time, I don't feel the same way. Never have I been so positive, calm and confident before a release. The success of the film will just serve as additional bonus, because I'm already extremely happy with the way the film has come out," he added.

Nani is in awe of his director Hanu.

"He is so involved in films, sometimes you worry for him, but his passion is what makes him a cut above the rest. During the course of the shoot, we understood each other so much that Hanu would know instantly if I'm not happy with something and vice versa. I think it would be unfair if he doesn't succeed, given the efforts he has taken for the film.

Next up for the "Eega" actor is a project with his mentor Indraganti Mohan Krishna, with whom he worked eight years ago in his first film "Ashta Chamma".

"I'm currently shooting for this film, which also stars Srinivas Avasarala, who had also worked with me in 'Ashta Chamma'. It's a very interesting script and genre-wise, it's completely in contrast to our last film. As a viewer, you'll see a very new Mohan Krishna in this film," he said.